Twenty-two coconut farmers from Palawan successfully completed the five-day Training of Trainers (TOT) on Coconut Production and Management with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) at Ala-Amid Bed and Breakfast, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, on February 16-20, 2026.
Designed to equip participants with knowledge and skills in coconut production and management, the TOT covered topics on the coconut industry situationer, an overview of the Coconut Farmers Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), physiology, morphology, and growth stages of coconut, farm record-keeping, and the hybridization process. Participants also learned about harvesting and post-harvest practices.
The training included field tours of various Learning Sites for Agriculture (LSAs) and academic institutions, including Rodriguez Integrated Farm, DosfourDos Integrated Farm, and Western Philippines University.
Ms. Cristina G. Magnaye, Training Specialist III; Ms. Roseanne D. Nilo, Media Production Specialist II; Mr. Rommel F. Fababaer, Agriculturist II; and Engr. Noeme Kate K. Ben-ek, Agriculturist II, from the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), served as the resource persons and guided the participants throughout the sessions.
Ms. Emely C. Valdestamon, one of the participants, expressed her gratitude for the learning opportunity and encouraged her co-participants to share their knowledge with fellow coconut farmers.
“Hindi lahat ng farmers ay nabibigyan ng opportunity na mabigyan ng gantong training. Itong opportunity na ito ay hindi pansarili lamang kundi maiibahagi rin natin ito sa ating mga kapwa magniniyog, lalo na yung mga hindi pa nakakarinig ng magagandang programa ng gobyerno. Kaya po ang hiling ko sa lahat, atin pong gamitin ang lahat ng kaalaman na ating natutunan. Huwag po natin itong ipagdamot sa ating kapwa magsasaka,she said.”
This TOT marks another step in ATI’s commitment to strengthening the skills of coconut farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices across the region.
