BUTUAN CITY – Twenty-five coconut farmers from the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte participated successfully during the three-day Training Course on Coconut-Cacao Farming System on November 13-15, 2023 at Balangay Hall, Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII, Brgy. Los Angeles.

Lerma M. Sangco, Technical Staff from Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Region 13 explained the Philippine Coconut Industry Situationer and the overview of the Coconut Farmers Industry Development Plan (CFIDP). She also answered queries from the participants regarding the registration of the National Coconut Farmers Registration System (NCFRS) and encouraged them to closely coordinate with their respective Coconut Development Officers (CDOs) assigned in their area.

The cacao production cultural management from site selection to post-harvest operation was discussed by Mr. Pedro V. Cruz, the Cacao Specialist from Davao City. He demonstrated some practices like pruning, how the cacao flowers were fertilized, grafting and side grafting of cacao trees, fertilization and even harvesting and post-harvest operation during the field practicum. 

Engr. Jeruer Batchinetcha, Agriculturist II of PCA Region 13 elaborated will the coconut-cacao farming system, farm lay-outing and showed the feasibility studies of coconut-cacao intercrop.

During the closing program, Jessie V. Beldia - OIC-Center Director of ATI-RTC XIII, and Joel Oclarit – Regional Manager of Philippine Coconut Authority 13, both shared their experiences and encouraged the participants to keep moving forward and to explore coconut and cacao products and by-products.