The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) is steadfast in its mission to uplift the lives of coconut farmers through the Coconut Farmers Industry Development Plan (CFIDP). As a key player under the Social Protection Component, ATI continues to deliver top-notch services aimed at enhancing farmers' livelihoods and improving their overall quality of life.
In line with recommendations from the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fishery (PCAF) Sectoral Council on Coconut, ATI's network of centers, including ATI-MIMAROPA, conducted a comprehensive Training Needs Assessment (TNA) in December 2023. The objective was to pinpoint the top five training needs within the region.
To ensure the reliability of the collected data, ATI implemented a two-level TNA Validation Process. This thorough approach, carried out in March - May 2024 in collaboration with the Philippine Coconut Authority Office, involved five TNA Validation Level 1, four TNA Validation Level 2, and one regional TNA Validation.
The initial TNA results were presented during the TNA Validation Level 1 meetings, attended by key stakeholders such as the Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council, the Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Council, Learning Site for Agriculture Cooperators, and representatives from Coconut Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations. These sessions focused on the prioritization of training needs within each province, during which the top five training needs were presented.
The subsequent TNA Validation Level 2 sessions included participation from various implementing agencies, including DA-RFO MIMAROPA, TESDA, PhilMech, DOST, DTI, NDA, BAI, PCIC, CDA, DPWH, as well as other stakeholders like the Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council, Provincial Agriculture and Veterinary Offices, and Municipal Agriculture Offices. This phase aimed to prioritize training needs that aligned with the programs and interventions from these agencies to be included in the proposed work and financial plan for the coming years.
The TNA Validation results revealed that Coconut Production emerged as the most crucial training need across most provinces. This training will be complemented by Good Agricultural Practices to ensure sustainable and high-quality farming. Other significant training needs identified include:
- Farm Diversification
- Coconut Processing (Food and Non-Food Products)
- Shared Processing Facility-related Trainings
- Farm Management with Financial Literacy
