SADANGA, Mountain Province -- Agriculture officials are promoting cacao production as an alternative source of livelihood for local farmers.
Provincial Agriculturist John Likigan, in his talk before the graduates of the six-month Cacao Farmer Field School Training (FFST) course, said cacao is a good investment because of the growing demand for this high value crop by chocolate manufacturers here and abroad. Cacao beans are the main ingredients of chocolate and cocoa, he said.
Sadanga Municipal Agriculturist Joan Agrong encouraged local farmers to engage in cacao farming as this could provide significant income to their families. Cacao, he said, is considered as “brown gold” being a high-value commercial crop and having market potential.
Agrong asked the cacao farmer-graduates to use their acquired knowledge wisely to uplift the living condition of their families and their communities.
Waynner Sayaan, executive assistant of Mayor Gabino Ganggangan, said the mayor earlier urged the farmer-trainees to share and practice their gained knowledge to ensure the sustainability of the government poverty alleviation program. He said the local government will continue promoting cacao production as it is economically, environmentally, socially and culturally sustainable.
Initiated by the Agricultural Training Institute of the Department of Agriculture–Cordillera region, the Cacao FFST tooled the farmer-trainees on crop husbandry, propagation, post-harvest handling and business management. It also taught farmers to prune, graft, apply fertilizers and other skills needed in cacao production.
Agriculture officials said cacao production is one of the least explored from among the high-value crops in the country. (Andrew Doga-ong)