SURIGAO CITY — The Agricultural Training Institute–Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII, in partnership with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Caraga, successfully conducted a three-day Training on Nursery Establishment and Management for Coconut on October 1–3, 2025, at Royal Regency Suites.
The activity aimed to strengthen the knowledge and skills of coconut nursery operators and farmers in effectively establishing and managing their own nurseries to produce high-quality planting materials and support the development of a sustainable coconut industry.
A total of 26 coconut farmers from Surigao del Norte participated in the training, which combined both lecture and hands-on sessions. Resource persons from PCA Caraga — Marylez Parejo, Jaspher Angelo Telwek, Miraflor Loon, and Marie Ann Therese Semilla — shared their expertise on topics such as the coconut industry situationer, overview of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), coconut varieties, criteria for seednut selection, nursery establishment and maintenance, and coconut hybridization practices.
To complement the lectures, participants conducted a field practicum at the PCA Demonstration Farm in Diwata Farm, Surigao del Norte, where they practiced seednut selection, established their own nursery plots, and observed the process of coconut hybridization firsthand. The hands-on activity provided participants with practical knowledge and experience in establishing and managing coconut nurseries, ensuring the application of learned techniques in their respective communities.
One of the participants, Mr. Alex Ruego from Surigao City, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to learn. “I am grateful to the speakers, partner agencies, and PCA personnel who shared their knowledge and efforts during the three-day training. For me, it was truly helpful in identifying different coconut varieties and learning proper planting methods. Moving forward, I hope to apply what I’ve learned to improve coconut production for the benefit of our families and fellow farmers,” he said.
