The Agricultural Training Institute – Central Luzon (ATI-CL), in partnership with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), successfully conducted the Training on Coconut-Coffee Farming System – Batch 2 from May 27 to 29, 2026. The three-day training gathered 25 coconut farmers from various municipalities in the province of Bataan.
The activity aimed to equip participants with essential knowledge and practical skills in coconut-coffee farming systems. It also formed part of the continuing efforts to improve livelihood opportunities and promote sustainable agricultural practices through the integration of coffee production into coconut-based farming systems.
The program formally opened with welcome remarks from Luis N. Nate, LSA Cooperator, Luis Nate Resort, followed by a message of support from Reinalyn C. Gulen, OIC, Assistant Center Director of ATI-CL. In her message, she emphasized the importance of coconut-based farming integration and its potential to enhance productivity and increase income of farmers.
Throughout the training, subject matter experts from PCA-Aurora, ATI-CL, and coffee production practitioners facilitated comprehensive discussions on various topics, including the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), the Philippine coffee industry, coconut production technology, harvest and postharvest management, coconut-coffee intercropping, and the economics of coconut-coffee farming systems.
To further enhance learning, participants actively engaged in hands-on activities designed to strengthen their technical knowledge and practical skills in coffee production. These activities included pruning techniques, rejuvenation methods, proper fertilizer application, soil media preparation, and potting procedures.
“Kami po ay nagpo-produce na ng kape pero dahil sa training na ito ay mas marami pa kaming nalaman at nadagdag na kaalaman sa pagtatanim ng kape na maaari naming ibahagi sa mga kasamahan namin sa aming asosasyon,” Cynthia A. Aquino, farmer from Tala, Orani, Bataan, shared her insights during the training.
The activity concluded with a closing message from Luis N. Nate, who encouraged participants to apply the knowledge and skills they gained and share these with fellow farmers in their respective communities. He emphasized that through collective effort and continuous learning, farmers can help build a more resilient, productive, and sustainable agricultural sector.
Through initiatives such as this, ATI-CL and PCA continue to support coconut farmers by promoting diversified and sustainable farming systems that contribute to improved productivity and livelihood opportunities in rural communities.
