SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte – “I worked hard to learn cacao farming because this may be a key to beating poverty. We are very poor and burdened with debts. This is the plight of most of us. Sometimes we get sick for skipping our meals because we don’t have money. That is why opportunities like this Farmers Field School on Cacao Production is something I don’t want to miss. I always have the interest to attend and I promise to continue to learn about cacao because I see it as a source of livelihood to lift us from poverty and to ensure the education of our children.” These were the words of FFS participant Julito Comanda which he shared during the closing program.

Comanda is just one of the 36 FFS participants who gained knowledge and skills in cacao production and made critical and informed decisions during the course of the training. They learned about soil and climatic requirements, nursery establishment, cultural management, pest and diseases management, harvesting, climate change, farm management and establishment, among others.

“In behalf of all of my colleagues, we whole-heartedly thank our kind and beautiful coordinators, Sir Jun Maglasang and Maam Sandra Desoloc. We, the farmers, are like a boat that is about to sail, and we will use what we have learned and experienced to reach the other side which is the fulfilment of our dream. But if we will only use a wooden paddle, our boat might get destroyed before it reaches the other side. Therefore, to all concerned who are here, you are our engine that will move our boat faster towards the other side. You are the key to our success and prosperity,” concludes Comanda.

The FFS on Cacao Production in Surigao City commenced on May 23 and ended last October 16, 2018. The participants met weekly for a total 16 weeks. Aside from lecture-discussions, there were also farm tours and hands-on demonstrations in the field to enhance learning. (with report from Joel Laure)