Aimed at equipping small-scale coconut farmers with the necessary knowledge and skills for adding value to coconut products, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in MIMAROPA, through the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), conducted a comprehensive farmer-level Training on Processing of Coconut Food Products from August 13-15, 2024, at Adis Resort and Restobar in Boac, Marinduque.
During the three-day training, the participants were given lectures on Food Safety, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). Ms. Jean Alexa E. Templo and Engr. Karen T. Vicente from ATI-MIMROPA, as resource persons, provided in-depth discussions on potential value-adding technologies in coconut production. Moreover, Engr. Vicente, delivered a detailed presentation on the process of obtaining coconut sap sugar, highlighting the varieties of coconut most suitable for sap production. Additionally, the participants learned the production process and health benefits of virgin coconut oil .
The training also featured collaborative efforts with the Local Government Unit of Boac and Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)-Marinduque, which facilitated the hands-on activities at the Boac Food Processing Facility. Mr. Rodeneil Agubang, a resource person, conducted a live demonstration on how to bake cookies using desiccated coconut. The hands-on sessions allowed the farmers to practice and refine their skills in processing a range of coconut-based products, including macaroons, coconut balls, cookies, bukayo, buko roll, and coco burger patties.
One of the highlights was a competition where participants showcased the skills they had acquired through the demonstration. The training team evaluated the participants’ outputs and selected a winning group, which was awarded prizes and tokens in recognition of their outstanding work.
“Ang mga natutunan namin dito ay magagamit namin sa aming kooperatiba upang mapalago at mapalawak ang aming hangarin na magkaroon ng sustainable na pangkabuhayan ang aming myembro. Ako po ay natutuwa sapagkat ang dami po naming natutunan. Lahat po 'yon ay aming isasabuhay at isasalin sa susunod na henerasyon na magiging myembro ng aming kooperatiba. Sisikapin po namin na kami ay maging kabahagi din ng pag-unlad sa ating bayan, " Analyn M. Lope of Aggressive Coconut Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (ACOFACO) shared.
A total of 20 coconut farmers and members of ACOFACO participated in the said training.
