BOAC, MARINDUQUE – Twenty coconut farmers from seven cooperatives and associations in the province participated in a five-day Training of Trainers (TOT) on Coconut Production and Management with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) at Hotel Marinduque, held on February 23–27, 2026.
Through a pre-recorded message, Center Director Pat Andrew B. Barrientos underscored the importance of continuous learning and professional growth among the participants.
“This training/activity serves as a valuable platform for you to grow within your respective fields of expertise, while also gaining hands-on experiences that will enable you to further contribute to our shared vision of supporting our farmers, fishers, and stakeholders,” he said.
Designed to equip participants with the skills to effectively deliver topics on coconut production in alignment with GAP, the TOT covered the Coconut Industry Situationer, the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development (CFIDP) Program, coconut physiology, an introduction to different coconut varieties, plantation management practices, common coconut pests and diseases, proper harvest and post-harvest handling, and GAP certification.
Participants also engaged in hands-on activities such as proper fertilizer application, selection of quality seednuts, seedling preparation, farm layout planning, coconut planting, and estimating the age of coconut trees.
Ms. Roseanne D. Nilo, Media Production Specialist II, and Ms. Charlot G. Magsino, Technical IV, from ATI-MIMAROPA; and Ms. Jonna Marie F. Portales, Senior Agriculturist, Mr. Reymark R. Pacia, Agriculturist II, from PCA, served as resource persons.
In his closing message, Mr. Reymark R. Pacia, Agriculturist II of Phippine Coconut Authority (PCA)-Marinduque, expressed his hopes that the participants would share their experiences and learnings with fellow farmers and encourage the youth to participate in sustaining coconut production.
“Sana ang mga natutunan ay hindi lang titigil dito sa training venue. After this five-day training, hopefully kayo po ang maging instrumento namin sa field na mag-share ng information at ideal practices sa management ng coconuts. Sana ay ma-encourage din natin ang mga young generation at emerging farmers na mag-deal tungkol sa coconut para magkaroon po tayo ng sustainability sa ating coconut production,” he said.
