Participants check the different varieties of cocao inside the Bohol Chocolate Farm
CENTRAL VISAYAS. Maximizing the utilization of land through proper intercropping methods is a crucial aspect of sustainable agriculture. The Coconut-Cacao Farming System is a prime example of a successful intercropping model. The Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center 7 (ATI-RTC 7) organized a Training of Trainers (TOT) on Coconut-Cacao Farming System. The training was held from June 19 to 23, 2023, at the ATI-RTC 7 Complex, Cabawan District, Tagbilaran City, Bohol. Agricultural extension workers and farmers from different barangays in Negros Oriental, Cebu, and Bohol attended the TOT.
The TOT aimed to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to educate others on coconut-cacao intercropping. The terminal objective of the training was for participants to be able to effectively deliver topics related to the farming system. The enabling objectives included identifying the components of the CFIDP, defining the importance of intercropping coconut lands, describing the advantages and benefits of coconut-cacao intercropping, contrasting the farm layouts of the coconut-cacao cropping model, demonstrating recommended farming practices, discussing economic opportunities, explaining planning considerations for presentations, and formulating a doable re-entry plan.
Roy Allen Esparcia, a farmer from Amlan, Negros Oriental, shared his experience after the training, “I have learned from this training how to maximize the utilization of the land, how to do proper pruning, and how to process cacao beans. This training will improve the quality of farming in our barangay and the neighboring barangays.”
Similarly, Nestor Campaner, Municipal Agriculturist from Compostela, Cebu, expressed his gratitude for the valuable insights and learnings obtained from the training, “I gained a deep understanding of the best practices for cultivation, including land preparation, seed selection, and pest management. I also learned about effective harvesting techniques, post-harvest processing, and value-added product development. The training emphasized sustainable farming methods such as organic fertilizer and integrated pest management.”
Mansueta Barranco, a farmer from Ubay, Bohol, acknowledged the value of the training and her desire to share her newfound knowledge with others, “I am very thankful for all the topics and for giving me a chance to attend this seminar. I have so much learning on how to plant coconut and cacao. I want to re-echo in my municipality and, most of all, to my co-farmers. I am willing to share my knowledge on how to plant coconut and cacao.”
The TOT provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of the coconut-cacao farming system and its benefits. It also provided an avenue to equip participants to become effective trainers and promote the growth of this sustainable intercropping model.
