In line with the recommendation of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries to re-evaluate the skills requirements of the coconut industry and enhance the capacity-building programs for coconut farmers and their families, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in MIMAROPA conducted the Training Needs Assessment (TNA) Validation Level I on March 22, 2024 in Torrijos, Marinduque.
The one-day consultative activity together with the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) stakeholders aimed to validate the TNA results gathered in 2023 and to come up with the prioritization of the training needs of the coconut farmers in the province.
In the activity, the top five (5) training needs in the MIMAROPA region and Marinduque province were presented. After the presentation, through open dialoque, the participants expressed their suggestions and recommended programs based on the challenges and actual situations faced by coconut farmers at the provincial level.
As a result, the top six (6) priority training needs were identified as follows: Training on Coconut By-products (coco vinegar, coconut oil, and nata de coco); Training on Coconut Production with Good Agricultural Practices (Sowing Process, Planting Pattern, Fertilization, and Application Techniques); Training on Integrated Pest Management; Training on Copra Production; Training on Farm Management with Financial Literacy; and Training on Coco-based Farm with Livestock Integration (Native Pig, Cattle and Goat).
Based on the identified priority programs, the participants suggested excluding coconut sugar from the proposed training on coconut by-products because further study is necessary due to the limited availability of raw materials needed for processing and its absence in the market.
It was also agreed that the Farmer Cooperatives and Associations (FCA) would invite and include the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) – Marinduque in their meetings for orientation on the programs under CFIDP and briefing on RA 8048. Moreover, the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO), Municipal Agriculture and Fisheries Council (MAFC), and FCA will assist the PCA in disseminating information on the National Coconut Farmers Registry System (NCFRS) registration.
In addition, through the MAO - Torrijos, they will inform the province of Marinduque about the suggested facilities for production and processing of coconuts.
The activity was actively participated in by representatives from the ATI MIMAROPA, MAFC , FCA, and employees from the MAO - Torrijos, Marinduque.
