PATIN-AY, PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur – In support of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII, in partnership with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Caraga, conducted the Training of Trainers (TOT) on Coconut Production and Management on April 15-19, 2024 at Hygeia IntegraMeds Center-FDAI.

The said five-day activity was participated by 28 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) and agri-enthusiasts. Participants gained insights on the coconut industry situationer and its impact on the Philippines’ social and economic aspects. They also listened to topics on coconut production such as its physiology, morphology, growth stages, nursery establishment, insect and pest management, and coconut harvesting and post-harvest operation.

In his opening message, OIC-Center Director Jessie V. Beldia encouraged the participants to learn more and urged them to help the Center as partners in capacitating the coconut farmers.

Resource persons during the training were Maricyl Dahug, Anita Lampong, Ronald Musico, Angelie Malou Esguerra, Franciose Abucay, and Jelyn Ala of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)-Agusan del Sur. Moreover, Mary Jane Gonzaga of ATI-RTC XIII explained the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) principles and certification process.

Aside from the lectures, participants also had a field practicum on actual seednut selection, establishment of coconut nursery, field lay-outing, planting, and fertilization for bearing palms.

“Thank you to all the training management team from ATI who brought us together collaboratively and developed a comprehensive curriculum that covers all aspects of coconut production. We as participants in this training can give a lot of ideas to help our farmers and improve their skills and productivity in coconut production, ultimately contributing to the sustainable development of the coconut industry in the Caraga Region,” said Frizieh C. Trujillo, Senior Agriculturist from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) Surigao del Sur who is also one of the participants.

Furthermore, the agriculturist participants earned 14 units of continuing professional development (CPD) and 5 units for Agricultural and Biosystem Engineering (ABE).