LIANGA, Surigao del Sur – Cacao is said to possess the chemicals that make people feel happy, good and fall in love. But in the town in Lianga, farmers here are growing cacao because of its high market demand worldwide. Recently, they felt thankful for having joined the Farmers’ Field School (FFS) on Cacao Production sponsored by the Agricultural Training Institute.

During the FFS, they learned about soil and climatic requirement of cacao, nursery establishment, cultural management, pests and diseases management, harvesting, good agriculture practices (GAP), climate change, agro-ecosystem analysis (AESA), cacao genetics, farm management and establishment.

Macario Angelia a farmer from Brgy. Ganayon, Lianga said during the closing rites, “This training indeed is very great for our cacao farmers, this will benefit us a lot. We are very grateful because money cannot buy what we have learned here.

Another farmer in the person of Crisante Lozada was also thankful for having participated in the said activity. “I am very thankful to our DA and ATI for this knowledge they shared to us is very helpful. I learned about pruning and I also learned sleeving. I also learned a lot during our group studies. I hope that this kind of program will continue, I hope there will be more new technologies for us farmers. Thank you very much.”

The FFS ran from April 30, 2018 and ended last September 30, 2018. (with report from Engr. Joel Laure)