BALANGA CITY (PIA) — Twenty-five coconut farmers from various municipalities in Bataan strengthened their skills in coconut hybridization and nursery management to improve farm productivity and support sustainable coconut production.
The Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Central Luzon, in partnership with the Philippine Coconut Authority, conducted the third batch of the Training on Coconut Hybridization and Nursery Management in Hermosa, Bataan to enhance the participants’ knowledge and practical skills, particularly in the proper selection of quality seednuts and seedlings for productive, healthy, and sustainable coconut plantations.
This capacity-building initiative supports the national government’s continuing efforts under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen the agriculture sector by equipping farmers with modern technologies and production practices that contribute to higher productivity and the long-term sustainability of the country’s coconut industry.
Participants attended lecture sessions on the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan, the coconut industry in the Philippines, coconut production, nursery establishment, proper care and maintenance of seednuts and seedlings in the nursery, and coconut hybrid farm management practices.
To reinforce their learning, the participants took part in hands-on activities and field demonstrations on seednut selection, seedbed preparation, seednut sowing, field layout and planting, fertilizer application, and emasculation.
The practical exercises enabled the farmers to apply proper coconut hybridization techniques, particularly controlled pollination for the production of quality hybrid seedlings.
Mirla Castro of the Victory Coconut Farmers Organization Inc. said the training deepened her understanding of coconut hybridization and inspired her to apply the technologies they learned on their farm.
“Natutuhan ko po kung paano mag-hybrid ng niyog. Meron din po kaming mga niyugan kaya lang po, kulang din po kami sa kaalaman. Ngayon po, ang mga natutuhan ko po rito ay ia-apply ko sa aming maliit na farm (I learned how to breed hybrid coconuts. We also have a coconut plantation, but we lack the necessary knowledge. Now, I will apply what I have learned here to our small farm),” Castro said.
ATI Central Luzon continues to implement capacity-building programs that strengthen coconut farmers’ technical competencies and contribute to the development of the country’s coconut industry. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Bataan)
