In line with the Coconut Farmers Industry Development Program, ATI Eastern Visayas in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 8, conducted two batches of Training on Coconut-Cacao Farming System in two municipalities.
The training aims to capacitate the participants with knowledge and skills in the coconut-cacao farming system. DA-RFO 8, through the High-value Commercial Development Program, identified and recommended the participants with certain agreements for the participants in Carigara. For one, the Binibihan Agricultural Cooperative through its President Ms. Teresita Cotoner will coordinate closely with the DA-RFO8 HVCDP coordinator, Mr. John Rodulf Desdechado regarding the schedule of delivery of grafted cacao planting materials. This will in turn allow the proper scheduling of land preparation and related farm activities for cascading and implementation of coconut-cacao intercropping among the coop members. Coop members with existing cacao plants are required to apply proper management of cacao plants based on demonstration conducted during the training. They may opt to employ bayanihan in the maintenance of the cacao plants particularly on proper pruning and fertilizer application. Animals like carabao and goats should be restrained from entering the farm to prevent damages to the newly established coconut-cacao . Lastly, should stray animals like carabao and goats and the like be left unrestrained, owners of these animals shall be approached and advised to restrain or contain them.
Similarly, participants in Mondragon will receive training support such as planting materials, agri input, and tools from DA RFO 8 HVCDP.
Ms. Wenefreda L. Alalid shares, “I am so thankful to the ATI for having this training. I have learned a lot that I could use on my farm. Now, I have an idea to intercrop cacao in coconut with the correct planting distance. This is the most important aspect of intercropping. Proper care and maintenance of cacao like pruning and fertilizer application by employing the 3 Rs namely: right amount, right timing, and right application must be practiced to have productive crops. With this, I am grateful to our resource persons and Training Management Team who made this training successful.”
Consequently, Mr. Rome De Asis, emphasized that there are still a lot to learn about coconut – cacao farming. “I am thankful to have attended the training where I learned more about coconut fertilizer application, and the proper management of the intercropping.”
Twenty farmer-participants completed the training on August 9-11, 2023 at Avelin’s Farm, Carigara, Leyte and Batch 2 had 21 farmer-participants on August 30, 2023 to September 1, 2023 in Brgy. Nenita, Mondragon, Northern Samar. (With reports from Concepcion B. Miro)
