To enhance the skills of coconut farmers and Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) in coconut farming, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in MIMAROPA spearheaded the second batch of the Training of Trainers (TOT) on Coconut Production and Management, held at Aloha House Inc. in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, from March 24 to 28, 2025.
Three AEWs and 17 coconut farmers participated in the TOT, which involved various lectures, demonstrations, and workshops aimed at improving their knowledge and skills in coconut production technologies and management practices.
The participants also took part in various hands-on activities at Rodriguez Integrated Farm, one of ATI’s Coconut-based Learning Sites for Agriculture in Palawan. Throughout the activity, they learned proper seednut selection, seedbed preparation, polybagging, field layout, and planting, gaining valuable practical experience in coconut production.
As their output, the participants crafted and submitted their re-entry plans, which will serve as outlines for implementing and sharing their learnings within their communities. A follow-up will be conducted in six months to monitor the progress of these action plans and ensure that participants have successfully applied the skills and knowledge gained from the training.
“Sa mga kapwa ko nagsanay sa loob ng limang araw, responsibilidad natin kung paano natin maipatutupad ang mga natutunan. Katulong nila tayo, hindi yung magtatapos tayo ng training at tapos na. Responsibilidad natin kung paano natin sila mahihikayat, dahil marami sa mga magniniyog ang hindi alam ang tamang pagtatanim ng niyog. Kaya sana, itaas natin ang antas ng pagsasaka ng niyog upang maging sapat ang suplay sa ating bansa. Sana po, sa pagbalik natin sa ating mga komunidad, ito ang aasahan sa atin ng ATI at PCA, na maisagawa natin at maibahagi ang mga natutunan natin,” Mr. Rolan G. Valdestamon, Engineer IV from the Provincial Agriculture Office - Puerto Princesa City.
