MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon-- The growing love of Small farmers of Cacao production and processing is presently on stretch all over the region. With the flourishing industry, government’s efforts to ensure safe and quality produce and processed products following the Good Manufacturing Practices ( GMP) standards is being mainstream in the region .

The Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center- X conducted the 10-day Intensive Course for the Season-Long Training of Trainers (TOT) on Cacao Production, Tablea and Chocolate Making with NC III Certification on August 8-17, 2018 at Veranda, Casisang , Malaybalay City

The 10-day training was the kick-off activity of the Season-Long TOT on Cacao Production , Tablea and Chocolate Making with NC III Certification that will be conducted for three months every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

There were 25 participants of the said activity composed of Agricultural Extension Workers ( AEWs), from the different parts of region 10, and a Cacao Farmer , Mr. Edgardo Villamayor , a learning soye co-operator and at the same time the farmer co-operators of ATI for the Season-long activity.

This training does not only intend to augment farmer’s income from cacao but also promotes the Department of Agriculture’s advocacy towards healthy farming through introducing environmentally safe package of technologies (POT) for cacao production and processing.
Introduction to the course from production to processing was discussed during the whole duration of the activity. There were also special topics such as the Facilitation and presentation skill, and the e-Extension Program of ATI.

The weekly sessions of the training will begin on August 22, 2018. There will be classroom discussion, on-field activities, and a Farmers Field School within the 16-week training.

The 10-day activity was conducted at Veranda, Casisang, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon(from the reports of Moisa Nina Catiil).