A group of Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs), farmer leaders, and Coconut Farmer Associations enhanced their skills through the Training of Trainers (ToT) on Dairy Cattle Production and Management. This initiative, spearheaded by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), aimed to integrate coconut farming with livestock to improve production, processing, and entrepreneurial capabilities.
The TOT courses, conducted in collaboration with agencies like the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and the National Dairy Authority (NDA), were followed by regional and farmer-level training. The key course, TOT on Dairy Cattle Production and Management, trained a total of 180 participants from Region X across five provinces.
The training, which ran from March 18, 2024, to May 31, 2024, was hands-on and benchmark-driven, significantly enhancing participants' knowledge and skills. These participants are now equipped to assist other beneficiaries of the coconut-dairy cattle integration program in their respective areas.
Training Sessions
- Alman God’s Gift Foundation Inc., Mansabalay Alto, Lopez Jaena, Misamis Occidental:
- Participants: A total of twenty-five (25) participants invited to attend the training which will be composed of AEWs/Farmer Leaders.
- Focus: Training of Trainers (TOT)
- Veranda, Casisang, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon:
- Participants: 32 farmers from Migcawayan Tribal Agriculture Cooperative, Damulog, Bukidnon
- Focus: Farmer-level training
- Julimon’s Nature Farm, Initao, Misamis Oriental:
- Participants: 30 Tuod Farmer’s Cooperative from Manticao Misamis Oriental
- Focus: Farmer-level training
- QUEOBE Restaurant and Training Center, Mambajao, Camiguin:
- Participants: 38 AEWs, farmer leaders, and NCEFRS registered coconut farmers from 5 municipalities of Camiguin
- Focus: Farmer-level training
- Alman God’s Gift Foundation Inc., Mansabalay Alto, Lopez Jaena, Misamis Occidental:
- Participants: 30 from Piangamangaan Farmers and Marketing Cooperative of Poona Pigapo, Lanao del Norte
- Focus: Farmer-level training
- Alman God’s Gift Foundation Inc., Mansabalay Alto, Lopez Jaena, Misamis Occidental:
- Participants: 30 farmers from Canigangan Agrarian Reform-Multipurpose Cooperative of Tangub City, Misamis Occidental.
- Focus: Farmer-level training
These training sessions successfully identified economic opportunities from coconut-cattle dairy farming integration, discussed management practices for forage and pasture development, explained dairy cattle husbandry and milking practices, and demonstrated forage and pasture development practices and forage preservation techniques.
Additionally, two of the trained associations will receive pregnant heifers as part of the program. The training empowered participants to apply and share their enhanced Dairy Cattle Production and Management skills, further benefiting their communities. (written and submitted by: Joebert Apdian)
