HINATUAN, Surigao del Sur — Thirty (30) coconut farmers from the provinces of Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte participated in a Training on the Production of Coconut By-Products held on October 8–10, 2025, at OTAW Farm, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. The training was facilitated by the Agricultural Training Institute–Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII, with Engr. Recarte Ebáre and Ms. Ruby S. Tamparong from PCA-Surigao del Sur serving as the resource persons.

The three-day training aimed to enhance farmers’ entrepreneurial capacity by teaching them to create value-added coconut products. On the first day, participants learned to identify opportunities in coconut production and were introduced to the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP). They also gained knowledge on coconut varieties—both tall and dwarf types—and the steps in producing coconut-based products following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

During the succeeding sessions, participants engaged in the formulation and production of various coconut by-products, including Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO), Coco Vinegar, “Sawsawan” (a blend of chili, biasong, garlic, and onion), Coco Toyo, Cooking Oil, Coco Sugar, Coconut Syrup, and Coco Aminos. These were produced under GMP protocols to ensure quality and market competitiveness. The training also included product packaging demonstrations modeled after OTAW Farm’s practices.

For many farmers, the training opened new opportunities to increase income and expand their livelihood. “I am very thankful for the opportunity to join this training. I’ve learned a lot, especially about how to process VCO and other by-products. It helped me see the coconut not just as a source of food, but as a source of many valuable products,” shared Diva Rhea Rabulan, a farmer from Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. She also expressed appreciation to the resource persons for their expertise and to ATI for facilitating a productive and engaging program.

The training concluded with a post-test, re-entry planning, and certificate awarding to all participants. Facilitating the activity were Ginalyn V. Arbutante, Information Officer II; Jessiel Faye Lee; and Anne James Correa of ATI-RTC XIII. The activity served as part of ATI and PCA’s joint effort to strengthen farmers’ capacity for value addition and sustainable coconut enterprise development under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP).