The second batch of Farmer-Level Training on the Coconut-Coffee System, organized under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) Program, was held from July 24-26, 2024, at Jumalon Farm, J.I. Skills Training and Assessment Center Incorporated, in Balabagan, Lanao del Sur. This training aimed to enhance the skills and knowledge of 35 local farmers in coffee cultivation, particularly as an intercrop with coconuts.
Engr. Mokles P. Buisan, CFIDP BARMM Alternate Focal Person, welcomed the participants, offering an insightful overview of the three-day program. Farmers received valuable lessons on coffee varieties, optimal planting techniques, spacing for growth, and best practices in harvesting to maximize profit.
Ms. Haniya Jamael Asalan, Agricultural Technologist from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) - Lanao del Sur Office, guided the sessions on Coffee Plantation Management and Coffee Harvesting. Her sessions equipped participants with practical strategies for managing and harvesting coffee.
Facilitated by CFIDP Technical Staff Mubarak M. H. Salik and Admin Support Staff Merzaq A. Ulama, the training is part of a broader initiative to empower farmers by transforming coffee cultivation into a profitable, sustainable venture within their communities.