The Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11) is focusing on improving yields and enhancing disease resistance to boost the cacao industy.
The initiative is part of the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), which provides improved cacao seedlings and essential farm inputs to local farmers, according to DA-11 technical director Marie Ann Constantino.
“The DA is also actively working to build resilience against climate risks by distributing farm machinery and constructing vital irrigation systems,” Constantino said in a statement on Tuesday.
She added that the DA is improving training programs designed to enhance farmers’ skills in modern agriculture practices, effective pest management and crucial post-harvest processing.
At Monday’s Cacao Farmers’ Conference in Davao City, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized the DA’s unwavering commitment to boost cacao production, enhancing farmers’ livelihoods, and expanding the Philippines’ global cacao market share.
Meanwhile, Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) executive director Elvin Ivan Uy highlighted the growing global demand for cacao, which is projected to reach six million tons, underscoring the urgent need to scale up local production.
“Through PBSP and its partners’ technical and financial support, farmer cooperatives and associations are significantly improving their productivity and gaining better access to markets,” he said. (PNA)
