Stephen S. Sibonga, a Member of Barangay Ara-al Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association (BAARBA), performs stumping on coffee trees to become young and productive.
TALISAY CITY, Negros Occidental – In pursuit to stride the coconut-coffee industry in the Province of Negros Occidental, ATI Region 6, in collaboration with Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), spearhead the Training on Coconut-based Farming System with coconut-coffee integration on June 19-21, 2024 at Nature's Village Resort with 30 participants.
Teddy A. Cañete, Slow Food Farm Champion for Asia-Pacific Region/Resource Person, encourages the participants about the opportunities of the coffee industry in the Province of Negros Occidental.
Teddy A. Cañete, Slow Food Farm Champion for the Asia-Pacific Region, served as the Resource Person who found great hope in uplifting the coffee industry in the province. He said, "Coffee is the second most traded in the world next to petroleum. In the Philippines, there are many potential markets for coffee. That is why we need to improve the coffee industry here in our region".
Aside from his discussion, the participants saw opportunities to perform coffee rejuvenation during the practicum activity. Rejuvenation helps the coffee tree become young and productive, bringing back 100% of the coffee green bean yield and reducing labor costs by up to 50%.
Aljem Karl Turada, a Member of Sitio Mansibanga Livestock Raisers Association (SMALRA), expressed his appreciation during the impression. He said, "I joined this training to learn more and equip myself with farming skills. I want to share what I have learned with my organization regarding the best practices to produce a good quality product through proper integration, planting, propagating, and harvesting. I am impressed with the trainer's skills and knowledge because he is knowledgeable about the topic. He explained clearly, met my expectations, and captured his audience's heart through his farming experience. He inspires me as a new and young farmer."
This activity aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of participants on coffee production, management, harvest, and postharvest technologies when intercropped with coconut towards livelihood diversification and increase the income of coconut and coffee farmers in the Province of Negros Occidental.
Photo Opportunity during the last day of training together with Mr. Cañete, Jeflor L. Dela Cruz of ATI Region, and Satff from LGU-Silay, Negros Occidental.
