The Training of Trainer (TOT) on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) was spearheaded by the Agricultural Training Institute as part of its initiatives under the Coconut Industry and Development Program (CFIDP). This capacity-building activity focused on the requirements that must be considered to ensure food safety and assure the quality of coconut-based products and by-products while keeping high regard for environmental protection and workers' health, safety, and welfare.
During the opening program, the Provincial Manager of Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) – Province of Zamboanga del Sur, Mr. Dionedes P. Dagatan, warmly welcomed the participants and highlighted that the program seeks to (1) increase the productivity and income of coconut farmers (2) Poverty alleviation, education, and social equity (3) Rehabilitation and modernization of the coconut industry toward farm productivity under the Republic Act 11524 known as Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund (CFITF) Act. He added that the CFITF shall be maintained for 50 years and will be used for the coconut farmer’s benefit and the coconut industry’s development.
Experts from ATI 9 and PCA-Region 9 served as the resource persons and discussed the following topics, the Coconut Industry Situationer; Overview of the CFIDP; the Coconut Physiology, Morphology, and Growth Stages; Plantation Management; Coconut Pests and Diseases Management; Farm Diversification; Harvesting and Post-Harvest Handling of Coconut; Economics of Coconut Production; and the 4 modules of GAP which include Food Safety, Produce Quality, Environmental Management, and Workers Welfare, Health, and Safety.
One of the highlights during the training was the field practicum. All of the participants actively participated and applied their learnings in terms of selecting the seed nuts for nursery establishment and performed the lay-outing by measuring the actual distance needed for the planting of coconut seedlings as required by GAP.
Furthermore, a mock inspection was also conducted to apply the learnings gained about the GAP certification process and its elements, and to provide pre-assessment assistance to farms that have potential for GAP certification.
In partnership with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) – Region 9, the activity was successfully held last March 27-31, 2023 at New Roxan Hotel, Pagadian City.
