LOS ANGELES, Butuan City – The first batch of graduates from the Training on Coconut - Coffee Farming System comprised 30 farmers and cooperative members from Agusan del Norte. The training was held at the Balangay Hall, ATI-RTC 13, Los Angeles, Butuan City, on July 17-19, 2024.

Caerian B. Muga, Development Management Officer I and Project Officer, provided an overview of the training, highlighting its objectives, course content, and expected output. He stressed that the training aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of the farmers in managing coconut coffee cultivation. He mentioned that hands-on activities in a demo farm area in Las Nieves would be incorporated alongside lectures and discussions.

Moreover, Leojane Evangelista, Agriculturist I of the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 13, presented the coconut industry situation, including the marketing opportunities for coffee. Gretchen Flores, Regional Technical Staff of the Philippine Coconut Authority – Regional Office 13, emphasized the objectives and components of the Coconut Farmers Industry Development Plan (CFIDP).

Heracleo A. Paler, farm owner of R2K Farm, discussed the concepts and recommended practices for integrated farming systems in coconut coffee and the environmental requirements for integrating coconut and coffee. He also covered the topics of cultural management practices for coffee,  post-harvest handling, rejuvenation, and hands-on coffee cupping and sensory.

The participants demonstrated field lay-outing and land preparation, among other activities, at the Demo  Farm area of Casiklan Wheels Farmers Association, in barangay Casiklan, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte. Mr. Nelson Dulayba, Senior Agriculturist of the LGU-Las Nieves Municipal Agriculture Office, guided the trainees during the duration of on-field exercises.

The trainees received their certificates of completion during the closing ceremony held at Casiklan. (with the report of Carrelle A. Linugao)