A total of 160 participants from Naujan, Pola and Gloria in Oriental Mindoro had the opportunity to attend Department of Agriculture-MIMAROPA’s Tekno-Talakayan in Cacao Production held at Barangay Hall of Metolza, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro on July 16, 2019.
Under the Cacao Industry Roadmap 2016-2022, the region has a commitment of 3% share from the national target of 100,000 MT of fermented beans. The goal for the region is to produce 3,000 MT by the end of the challenge for the export and domestic markets.
As such, the DA through its Regional High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) has eagerly promoting the production of cacao in the region. They are currently providing planting materials, trainings, technology demonstration on rehabilitation of unproductive and old cacao trees and provision of fertilizers to meet the regional target.
To support the banner program meet this demand, the Regional Agriculture Fishery Information Section (RAFIS) conducted a Tekno-talakayan on Cacao production and Fermentation Technology.
This is also to help the cacao farmers in the said province to develop and increase their production and produce fermented beans.
The Province of Oriental Mindoro was chosen for the conduct of the first Tekno-Talakayan for Cacao in MIMAROPA Region because it is one of the top producers of cacao next to Palawan and has the capability to increase their production.
Mr. Salvador Alfonso, Cacao Doctor/Expert of the province, is the resource speaker for the activity. He discussed the proper care and management of crop, identification and prevention from pest and diseases and the importance and process of fermenting cacao beans.
The cacao farmers also learned a lot on the hands-on activity on pruning at Villacampa Farm located in Brgy. Metolza.
Proper pruning was demonstrated being one of the most essential parts in managing and increasing production of cacao trees.
“Kami po ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa DA dahil sa programang inihatid nila, ito ay panibagong simula para sa produksyon ng cacao lalo ngayon sa bayan naming sa Pola ay ramdam na ang epekto ng pagbaba ng presyo ng copra,” shared by Mr. Efren Montalbo, one of the cacao farmers who attended the activity.
The Municipal Local Government Unit of Naujan has showed their support by also attending in the said activity. Mayor Mark N. Marcos and Municipal Agriculturist Requel Umali were present and gave their messages.
“Kami po nagpapasalamat dahil dinala nyo dito sa malayong lugar naming ang ganitong aktibidad upang mapakinabangan ng aming mga mamamayan,” he said.
Mayor Marcos also encouraged the participants to cooperate well in the activity.
“Namnamin natin ang ituturo sa atin ngayon dahil ito ay maituturing natin napagkakakitaan at makakatulong rin sa paglamig ng ating kalikasan lalo na sa panahon ngayon na sobrang init na,” he added.
The participants went home gratefully not just with proper knowledge and skills on cacao production but also with assorted vegetable seeds, Information, Education and Communication collaterals and certificates from the department.
