Cebu - The Department of Agriculture has a goal to lead farmers towards generating high income from high value crops and sufficiency in the supply of cacao and coffee planting materials. There is also a need to ensure the production of quality planting materials of known genetic identity.

On April 26 – 29, 2022, a Training of Trainers on Coffee and Cacao Planting Material Propagation and Plant Nursery Accreditation (Batch 1) was conducted in Diamond Suites and Residences, Cebu City. There were 28 agricultural extension workers coming from the municipalities/cities of Calape, Carmen, Clarin, Dimiao, Maribojoc, Panglao, and Ubay in the province of Bohol; and Badian, Borbon, Cebu City, City of Talisay, Consolacion, Dalaguete, Danao City, Ginatilan, Minglanilla, Oslob, Ronda, San Francisco, Santander, Sibonga, and Tuburan from the province of Cebu completed the four-day training.

The training aims to equip and/or enhance the knowledge, attitude and skills of our AEWs/ HVCDP Technicians on coffee and cacao planting material propagation techniques and production following proper nursery management.

During the four-day course, participants learned about plant propagation principles and practices, propagation environment, plant propagation for profit, nursery certification/ accreditation. They also learned the demonstration on making more plants as a science, art and joy of plant propagation.

“The training has come to an end but the learning is never ending. The added knowledge and the passion for extending the information will surely maximize our potential as extension workers. As extension worker, we are one of the important people who should share the minds of our benefactors, from LGU to farmers and Cebu Technological University – Argao Campus (CTU-AC) to students and farmers,” said Mico Cañete of CTU AC – one of the training participants.

Henry S. Binahon from Binahon Agroforestry Farm (BAFF) in Bukidnon; and Marcheta C. Brina from Bureau of Plant Industry - National Seed Quality Control Services (BPI-NSQCS 7), BES Gabi, Ubay, Bohol shared their expertise on the topics discussed as resource persons while Angelie Mencede served as member of the training management team.

Should there be any clarifications or inquiries around this training, you may contact Joemelyn A. Sumagang, Project Officer, thru her email at prettieblack8910@gmail.com.