The City Agriculturist Office (CAgro) will distribute 50,000 cacao seedlings to local farmers this year.

CAgro cacao focal person Fe Oguio said Monday that the seedlings, obtained from the Department of Agriculture, will be distributed before the end of the second quarter.

The program was strengthened because of high demand and prices, she said.

“We have identified organizations to receive the seedlings,” she said. “Our target is to surpass the 25,000 seedlings given last year.”

Only 25,000 seedlings were distributed last year because of low production caused by extreme heat from El Niño, Oguio said.

She urged farmers to grow cacao.

“They should seize the opportunity while prices are high,” Oguio said, noting that the city has 7,933 cacao farmers and more than 5,000 hectares dedicated to cacao production.

CAgro has more workers in the field to provide technical assistance and link farmers to buyers, she said. (PNA)