PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur – The Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII, in partnership with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Region 13, conducted a three-day Training on Coconut Nursery Establishment and Management on August 18–20, 2025, at Farmersinn Hotel, Poblacion, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.

The training gathered 31 coconut farmers from different municipalities in the province. The participants were equipped with essential knowledge and hands-on skills on how to properly establish and manage a coconut nursery, ensuring sustainable practices and improved coconut production in their localities.

Discussions covered key topics, including opportunities in coconut nursery development, coconut varieties and seednut selection, nursery establishment and management, and coconut hybridization. PCA resource persons Ms. Angelie Malou Esguerra, Mr. Jolly Porras, Mr. Michael Vincent Reponte, Mr. Eric Divinagracia, and Mr. Sandie Jone Siohan facilitated the sessions. They provided valuable insights to guide the participants.

To complement the lectures, a field practicum was held at the PCA Demonstration Farm in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur. Farmers actively engaged in seednut selection, created their own nursery plots, and observed the process of coconut hybridization firsthand. This practical activity strengthened their confidence in applying the skills learned during the training.

The training was anchored on its terminal objective of enhancing the knowledge and skills of coconut farmers in nursery establishment. Specifically, participants were able to discuss opportunities in coconut nursery development, identify various coconut varieties and their characteristics, distinguish between seedbed and polybag nurseries, explain the proper care and maintenance of seedlings, demonstrate nursery establishment through a practicum, and formulate a re-entry plan for application on their respective farms.

“This training provides us with the opportunity to learn about coconut farming and how to manage coconut nurseries in our respective areas, especially in selecting the right and high-quality varieties. This knowledge will also help our association to have a better production,” said Benjie Ragas, one of the participants from Talacogon, Agusan del Sur.