NAVAL, Biliran - ATI-RTC 8, in partnership with the LGU-Naval conducted the 3rd batch for the Training on Coconut-Cacao Farming System in the municipality of Naval, Biliran on September 18-20, 2024. The activity brought together local farmers and agriculture enthusiasts who are eager to learn sustainable farming techniques especially on coconut-cacao production. The three-day training aimed to enhance participants' knowledge and skills in the coconut-cacao farming system, which is gaining recognition as an effective method for maximizing land use and increasing profitability.
Participants were introduced to various key topics, such as the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) programs, which includes an overview of the coconut and cacao industries in the Philippines. Practical demonstrations focused on cacao propagation, plant nursery management, and plantation establishment under coconut trees, with an emphasis on proper nutrient management for healthy crop growth. They also learned pest and disease management strategies, cacao harvesting techniques, and post-harvest operations to maintain the quality of cacao beans.
One of the most appreciated sessions was the demonstration of cacao grafting techniques. Participants expressed their gratitude, noting that mastering grafting will allow them to produce their own high-quality planting materials instead of relying on nursery-bought seedlings, significantly reducing costs. The timing of the training was also beneficial, as many participants are set to receive cacao seedlings from the Municipal Agriculture Office of Naval.
“I learned a lot from this training”, said Judith Collera, a participant and at the same time, a farmer from Naval. “I learned the proper way to plant cacao and the importance of using organic fertilizer for the crop.” Judita also shared how she learned how to separate topsoil from the subsoil and how critical this process is in planting cacao. “I really appreciated that we were taught how to graft so that we don’t have to purchase planting materials.” she added. She was indeed grateful for the lessons and promised to share what she has learned to her children for future farming activities.
By the end of the training, participants successfully pruned 30 cacao trees, grafted 60 cacao seedlings, and planted 50 cacao seedlings under coconut trees. These outputs reflect the hands-on aspect of the training and demonstrate the participants' newfound ability to apply the techniques they learned. The training proved not only to be an informative and practical learning experience but also a timely intervention, preparing participants to implement the coconut-cacao farming system on their own farms and contribute to the development of the local agricultural industry.
“We didn’t expect to receive PPEs and garden tools at the end of the training,” exclaimed Joan Cubay, another participant. She noted how the equipment would be a great help during their post-training farm activities. Joan shared that while this was her third time attending a training from different agencies, this experience left her feeling fulfilled—not only because of the tools she received, but more so because of the valuable knowledge she gained. For her, the support provided was enough motivation to continue applying what she had learned and to share these insights with others in her community.
