Tantangan, South Cotabato – The Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center XII (ATI-RTC XII) successfully conducted the first batch of the Training on Nata de Coco Production and Processing held from September 9 to 11, 2025, at ATI-RTC XII, Barangay San Felipe, Tantangan, South Cotabato. The three-day training aimed to equip coconut farmers with the technical knowledge and entrepreneurial skills necessary to develop value-added products and expand livelihood opportunities within the coconut industry.
The program opened with a warm welcome message from Mr. John Lord L. Auman, Officer-in-Charge of the Information Services Section of ATI-RTC XII. Ms. Alyssa Marie Ilustrisimo, CFIDP XII Technical Staff IV, facilitated the entire program and acknowledged the participants coming from Matalam, North Cotabato, and Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat.
On the first day, Ms. Victoria A. Motril, owner of the Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) VMotril Farm, shared the history of Nata de Coco production and discussed costing analysis as a foundation for proper planning and financial management. Participants also engaged in a hands-on activity, learning the actual process of preparing and producing Nata de Coco, ensuring they could apply the techniques in their local settings.
The second day featured a session by Ms. Maria Katrina D. Gumayan, Trade Industry Development Specialist from DTI-South Cotabato, who discussed essential topics on Food Safety, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and Marketing Strategies. Her insights helped participants understand the importance of maintaining product quality and exploring market opportunities for Nata de Coco and other coconut-based products.
On the final day, participants joined an Expository Learning Journey at VMotril Farm in Tupi, South Cotabato, where they observed the actual operation of a Nata de Coco processing facility. The training concluded with a closing message from Mr. Auman, who expressed his gratitude and emphasized the importance of continuous learning and sharing of knowledge among coconut farmers to sustain agricultural productivity and innovation.
The Training on Nata de Coco Production and Processing plays a vital role in empowering coconut farmers by providing them with opportunities to diversify their income, strengthen local agripreneurship, and contribute to the growth of the coconut industry. Through such initiatives, ATI-RTC XII continues to champion capacity-building programs that promote value-adding, entrepreneurship, and a more inclusive agricultural sector where farmers and their families thrive.
