BAYUGAN CITY, Agusan del Sur — Thirty-four coconut-cacao farmers from the Katipunan Agricultural Producers Cooperative (KAPCO) took part in a three-day hands-on Training on Cacao Nursery Establishment and Management spearheaded by the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII from April 27 to 29, 2026, in Barangay Katipunan, as part of efforts to strengthen local production and improve planting material quality.
Supported by the Department of Agriculture through the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan–High Value Crops Development Program (CFIDP-HVCDP), the training aimed to equip farmers and nursery operators with practical skills in setting up and maintaining cacao nurseries. Organizers said the activity responds to the growing demand for high-quality cacao seedlings and the need to improve farm productivity in the region.
Participants were introduced to key topics such as the overview of CFIDP, nursery management practices, and plant propagation techniques, particularly asexual methods like grafting. Sessions combined classroom discussions with field-based learning, allowing farmers to immediately apply what they learned.
Cacao specialist Rimar J. Sagaral, one of the resource speakers, guided participants through the technical aspects of nursery establishment. “It’s important that farmers understand not just how to grow cacao, but how to produce quality planting materials,” he said during one of the sessions. “Good seedlings are the foundation of a productive farm.”
Lita Amancia M. Yandug of the Bureau of Plant Industry–National Seed Quality Control Services explained the process of nursery accreditation and plant material certification. She emphasized that meeting these standards ensures farmers can access reliable and high-quality planting stocks.
By the third day, participants were working directly in KAPCO’s cacao nursery, practicing side grafting techniques under close supervision. The hands-on exercises were paired with one-on-one coaching and a simple oral evaluation, where participants explained the steps they had learned.
For Luisito G. Jandog, one of the participants, the training was both meaningful and practical. “I am very thankful to ATI,” Jandog said, noting that despite the distance, the agency reached their community to share valuable knowledge through the training. He explained that they learned different methods of soil management that help improve plant growth, including techniques that soften the soil for better root penetration and nutrient absorption, enhance soil condition even without fertilizers, and increase productivity. He added that the training encouraged participants to apply what they learned, urging fellow farmers to adopt these practices to boost crop yields and support the growth of their cooperative.
The Agricultural Training Institute is set to monitor the participants’ progress in the coming months, including the implementation of their re-entry plans. Officials hope the initiative will contribute to a more sustainable and competitive cacao industry in Agusan del Sur, where interest in cacao farming continues to grow.
