SAN ISIDRO, Surigao del Norte – The Agricultural Training Institute–Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII, in collaboration with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)–Surigao del Norte, successfully conducted a Training on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Coconut on September 3–5, 2025, at Ihayas Farm, Barangay Del Pilar, San Isidro, Surigao del Norte. The activity was held under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) and was participated in by 25 coconut farmers.

It aimed to strengthen the capacity of coconut farmers to adopt sustainable and eco-friendly pest management technologies for coconut production. With the expertise of resource persons, participants gained updated knowledge and hands-on skills on IPM, focusing on the identification, monitoring, and management of coconut pests, diseases, and weeds.

Topics discussed during the sessions included the importance of IPM, presented by Joanne Langres of Caraga State University; the management of major insect pests, diseases, and weeds, shared by Jaspher Angelo Telewek, Ana Jane Mantilla, and Lalinka Czara Perez of PCA; and insecticide resistance management, explained by Ryan Ramos of the BPI–Plant Quarantine Services Division.

As part of the field practicum, participants visited a coconut farm in San Isidro where they collected and identified insect pests, weeds, and diseases affecting coconut trees. They also learned to install pheromone traps for the Rhinoceros beetle as part of pest monitoring and control.

The training emphasized the importance of combining cultural, biological, mechanical, and chemical control methods to effectively manage coconut pests while promoting sustainable practices that protect both the farmers’ livelihood and the environment.