BAYBAY CITY, Leyte - The Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) is a government initiative that seeks to improve the livelihoods of the coconut farmers in the Philippines by revitalizing the coconut industry. There are sixteen (16) implementing agencies (IAs) or government agencies involved in this initiative. One of these IAs is the Agricultural Training Institute, the training arm or the capacity builder of the Department of Agriculture.
As the capacity builder, ATI-RTC 8 conducts the Training of Trainers on Coconut Nursery Establishment and Management, an essential part of this initiative. This training aims to equip trainers with the necessary skills and knowledge to establish and manage coconut nurseries effectively. Graduates of the training are expected to pass on the knowledge to farmers and other stakeholders involved in coconut plantation establishment, enabling them to serve as resource persons who can deliver topics on coconut nursery establishment and management.
Coconut nurseries play a vital role in the coconut industry. They are the starting point for the growth of healthy and productive coconut trees. Training the trainers on proper nursery establishment and management ensures the growth of high-quality coconut seedlings, which is crucial for the success of coconut plantations. This is a critical step towards achieving the CFIDP’s objectives of improving the coconut industry in the region.
Participants of the training prepared a raised plot seedbed, set coconut seed nuts in a seed bed, sorted and potted good coconut seedlings, identified pests and diseases of coconut seedlings at the nursery stage, installed log traps, and identified good quality seed nuts.
Mr. Raymund Lego, General Manager of KAMMPIL Agri. Corp shares, “I would like to take this opportunity to give my warmest thank you to the facilitators at sa lahat ng bumubuo ng ATI. I believe this training was conducted as mandated by Pres. Bongbong Marcos to uplift the coconut farmers in the Philippines, especially in Region VIII since our area was devastated by Typhoon Yolanda years ago. For us at KAMMPIL Agri. Coop, this is a big opportunity because we already have our nursery. Our journey here at ATI training was of great help to us.”
A total of 30 participants completed the Training of Trainers on Coconut Nursery Establishment and Management (B2) on June 10-14, 2024 at VSU Hostel Function Hall, VSU Campus, Baybay City, Leyte. (With reports from CB Miro)
