HINATUAN, Surigao del Sur— The Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC 13) successfully conducted a Coconut Specialist Training Course in Amparitas Integrated Natural Farm, Tagasaka, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur from March 4 to March 15, 2024. It was attended by twenty-seven (27) Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) across the region.
The training aimed to develop the knowledge and skills of the participants as a coconut specialist, capable of the various steps, processes, and theories related to the coconut value chain.
OIC-Center Director Jessie V. Beldia, highlighted the significance of empowering coconut specialists with updated techniques and knowledge to address the challenges facing coconut farmers. He also encouraged the participants to share the knowledge gained during the training to help the farmers in proper management from production and to engage in coconut by-products and value-adding.
The training utilized a combination of lectures and hands-on activities including preparatory activities, particularly on farm lay-outing, seednuts selection, nursery establishment, coconut cultivation, coconut plantation management, pest, and disease control, harvesting, post-harvesting, good agricultural practices, and economic situation. To help the participants become effective trainers, the speakers also discussed communication in extension, transformational leadership, and social preparation. They also went through microteaching exercises to improve their facilitation and presentation skills.
Participants also had the opportunity to visit the OTAW Farm, one of the Learning Sites for Agriculture (LSA) under the CFIDP program, they were introduced to the characteristics of different dwarf coconut varieties such as the Tacunan dwarf, Catigan dwarf, Malayan Red, and Yellow, Aromatic dwarf, and Macapuno.
The CSTC has trained 27 new regional coconut experts, skilled in various coconut production technologies, who will support the various implementing agencies of CFIDP in implementing programs and services for the coconut farmers.
During the culmination, the participants received their certificate of completion and 32 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) units for licensed agriculturists and 10 CPD units for Agricultural Biosystems Engineering (ABE). The Career and Development Management Section (CDMS) spearheaded the training with Mary Jane Gonzaga, Development Management Officer II, as Project Officer.
