In line with the implementation of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), the Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center 8 conducted the third batch of farmer-level training, fulfilling its mandate to conduct training for AEWs and farmers in collaboration with DA RFO 8 High Value Crop Development Program (HVCDP).
The training aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification in coconut-cacao production. Coconut-cacao intercropping enables farmers to maximize land productivity, strengthening food security for both rural and urban populations while diversifying and boosting household incomes. Consequently, by following the GAP, farmers can eliminate the risk of harmful microbial contamination, ensuring safe and high-quality products.
Mr. Roy F. Ecal used to watch Youtube videos to learn about farming, specifically fertilization, he shared: "Salamat sa iyo nga tanan, enjoyed gihapon ha tulo ka adlaw nga training. Salamat sa ATI ngan LGU, nga damo an amon nahibaroan. Ako bilang maiha na nga parag-uma, salamat sa dugang nakon nga nahibaroan parte sa pag alaga sa cacao, ngan lubi. Tungod hini nga training, nabaro ako han sakto nga distansya han tanom, distansya han pag abuno, kadamoon han abuno, ngan pag pruning han cacao. Damo nga salamat nga nagkaurusa kita, in inga aton training in dako gudman ini nga magagamitan naton ha aton pagpanguma."
(Thank you to all. I have still enjoyed the third training day. Thank you also to ATI and the LGU for the knowledge. As for me, who has been farming for a long time, I have learned more about cacao and coconut management. Because of this training, I learned the correct planting distance, proper fertilization, and pruning of Cacao. Thank you very much for this training, this training is a big help to our farming practices.
Participants planted and fertilized 6 Cacao Seedlings; Weed and fertilized 6 Cacao Mature Trees; Ring Weed and fertilized 6 Coconut Mature Trees; Pruned 6 Cacao Trees; and Conducted soil sampling.)
A total of 30 participants completed the Training on GAP-anchored Coconut-Cacao Farming System (Farmer Level) on July 1 to 3, 2025 in Lope De Vega, Northern Samar.
