INITAO, Misamis Oriental (PIA) -- The Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC)-10 recently organized a Training of Trainers (TOT) program focused on coconut production and management as part of the broader efforts to improve the lives of underprivileged and marginalized coconut farmers in the region.
By equipping trainers with the right skills and knowledge, the program aims to empower the coconut farmers and support their growth.
The training activity's goal is to improve the knowledge and abilities of Agriculture Extension Workers (AEWs), Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) operators, coconut farmer leaders, and cooperators in various aspects of the coconut value chain. The Buhian Diversified Farm in Apas, Initao, Misamis Oriental hosted the training from March 11–22. It involved 27 participants, who engaged in activities such as planting, harvesting, and post-harvest operations.
Training Specialist II Noriel Kris O. Santillan and Daisy Joy Sales organized the coconut specialist training course, which aims to develop the participants' knowledge and skills as coconut specialists proficient in the various steps, processes, and theories related to the coconut value chain. This includes preparatory activities in coconut production, coconut plantation management, harvesting and post-harvesting, economics, environment, social and human relations, and other policy-institutional aspects.
Meanwhile, the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) established guidelines, regulations, and protocols to achieve goals such as boosting farmers' earnings, mitigating poverty, and realizing social parity among coconut cultivators. The plan outlines each component's strategies, implementing agencies, and constituents. ATI is one of the organizations that helps the Department of Agriculture develop its capabilities.
The ATI, under its training component, will conduct a series of Training of Trainers (TOT) at the regional levels to equip the Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) and various stakeholders (coconut farmers and leaders) to harness their skills in coconut production across the value chain.
After completing the program, the participants are required to act as resource persons, giving presentations on the many stages, procedures, and theories associated with the coconut value chain.
The training covered the following topics: nursery establishment, farm establishment, farm maintenance, coconut age and productivity, sourcing and selection of planting materials, and coconut plantation management. The ATI-10 trained 10 AEWs, 15 learning site cooperators, and coconut farmer leaders.
The training participants also discussed cultural management practices in coconut production, farm diversification through intercropping cacao and coffee, and livestock integration (swine, cattle, goats, and poultry).
Moreover, the training underscores the importance of diversification for coconut farmers, as it allows them to maximize their land, boost productivity, and increase incomes, all of which are crucial for their financial stability. Additionally, diversification enables coconut farmers to adapt to changing trends and stay competitive in the agricultural industry, ultimately helping to combat poverty in the sector.
Diversification also allows for the integration of intercropping practices, such as planting a variety of crops between coconut trees, which can enhance productivity and provide additional income streams for farmers. In summary, diversification is key to improving the resilience, sustainability, and economic viability of coconut farming in the Philippines.
The Career Development and Management Section of the center organized a similar training of trainers on coconut production and management earlier in February, using funds from the ongoing Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan. (ATI-10/PIA-10)
