AN INTERNATIONAL private, nonprofit organization that promotes broad-based economic growth, is set to implement a new project that aims to boost productivity in the agriculture sector.
The Agricultural Cooperative Development International, Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (Acdi/Voca), will start to implement the project, dubbed as the Mindanao Productivity for Agricultural Commerce and Trade (MinPACT), before the year ends, an official said.
Ireneo D. Dalayon, president of Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao. Inc.(Cidami) said in Monday’s edition of Kapehan Sa Dabaw at SM City Annex that they are now looking forward to the full implementation of the project.
"At present we are still meeting with the players involved in the project. We still do not have the specifics of the project, but as to the funding we are positive because Acdi/Voca is keen on implementing the project," he said.
The MinPact project is in support to cacao, coconut and coffee farmers in Mindanao. It is envisioned to capacitate income of smallholder cacao, coconut and coffee farmers through developing the processing of the crop's raw materials.
"Actually Acdi/Voca already implemented the same project for three crops only. The previous project only focused on strengthening farmers' capacity and that of other value chain actors for improved farm management, increased productivity, product quality, available services, and access to markets," Dalayon said.
He added that this time, the project focuses more on the developing the Shared Service Facilities (SSF) support, value-adding process of the agricultural products and leveling up the marketing efforts enabling the products to be export-ready.
Cidami has encouraged farmers to plant more cacaos to strengthen the bid in making Davao City as the cacao capital in the Philippines.
Dalayon said that around 80 percent of the total cacao production in the country is in Mindanao, biggest bulk with some 70 percent of which is contributed by Davao City.
He also shared that cacao and banana intercropping can be possible.
"In my three-hectare farm, since 2011, 3,000 cacao trees were intercropped with 4,000 hills of bananas," he said.
Meanwhile, some 500 to 700 visitors are expected to come during the National Cacao Congress or KakaoKonek 2015 slated on September 11 to 12 at the SMX Convention Center.
The Cacao Double-Up Program of the Mindanao Development Authority (Minda), Cacao branding and the formation of the National Cacao Board will take center stage during the congress.