The participants perform their hands-on demonstration on the asexual propagation of cacao seedlings inside the training hall as preparation for the practicum at the nursery.
NEW LUCENA, Iloilo – In collaboration with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), ATI-RTC VI trained some of the region’s coconut and cacao farmer leaders on nursery establishment and management. This initiative seeks to strengthen coconut-cacao integration by equipping farmer leaders and associations with essential skills in nursery operations, high-quality seedling production, and farm diversification techniques.
The training presented the Coconut Farmers Industry Development Program (CFIDP) and the government’s initiative to support marginalized coconut farmers. The resource person discussed the current state of country’s current cacao production, challenges, and opportunities. Training highlights include cacao seedling propagation techniques and the criteria and costs, and a return analysis of the establishment and operation of a cacao nursery.
Resource Persons Mr. Francis Sendin (left), Instructor III, and Mr. Boyce Abentino (right), Cacao Project Farm Coordinator from the Iloilo Science and Technology University, presented various topics on cacao and its nursery establishment and management.
Also, part of the training is the site visit at the Department of Agriculture Research Outreach Station in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo, where the participants performed asexual propagation of cacao, had the opportunity to learn the good practices in the nursery operation of the station.
Participants perform grafting of the cacao seedlings at the DA's Iloilo Research Outreach Station.
During the closing program, the participants expressed their appreciation for the conduct of the training. One of them is Mr. Edwin Dalida from the Balasan Kaaneb Agriculture Cooperative. "Though I have been practicing cacao farming for the time being and have attended other cacao seminars and trainings, this training has opened my eyes to many opportunities for cacao. I have learned new knowledge and technologies which I can share with my association members," he remarked.
Thirty coconut and cacao farmers participated in this training regionwide, and it was held on April 2-4, 2025, at the Gaja Agrifarm, an ATI-accredited Learning Site for Agriculture.
This initiative aligns with the Philippine Cacao Industry Roadmap, which targets 100,000 metric tons of cacao production by 2026, and the CFIDP's goal to promote sustainable cacao-coconut intercropping for optimized land use and increased farm profitability.
With the enhanced technical skills of these coconut-cacao farmers, this training is seen to strengthen the cacao industry in Western Visayas and foster a sustainable livelihood opportunity for smallholder farmers.
