Dapitan City’s multi-awarded Cassava Growers and Processors Association, Inc. (CAGAPA, Inc), an accredited Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA), was showcased during the 1st Regional LSA Cooperators and Applicants' Forum held on November 14-15, 2023 at Villa Pablea Mountain Resort, Rizal, Zamboanga del Norte.

A total of fifty (50) LSA Cooperators, representatives, and applicants from Region IX were gathered and had the opportunity to hear CAGAPA’s success story, know about its best practices, and visit its processing center at Brgy. Aseniero, Dapitan City. The association is behind the production of the famous cassava chips which not only cater to customers in the locality but internationally such as Korea, USA, Australia, Europe, Japan, and China.

CAGAPA Inc., being the only learning site in the region to earn the Civil Society Organization (CSO) accreditation of the Department of Agriculture, provides livelihood to young farmers and Rural Improvement Club (RIC) members among others. The association started back on June 9, 2014, and became an accredited LSA in March 2023. It is also certified and registered with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Food and Drug Administration License to Operate (FDA LTO), and Halal.

With 162 members working together to sustain the processing and production of cassava chips, CAGAPA has helped provide livelihood and income not just among its members but also to the local producers of cassava. From its original flavor, cassava chips now has cheese, sour cream, hot and spicy, and barbecue flavors which made its market demand grow over the years.

The participants during the field visit at the processing center get to explore and talk to some of the workers in the area. They also get to see the CAGAPA members working in the production and packaging areas. Some of the participants from the other provinces/cities get to taste the famous cassava chips for the first time.

Showcasing the CAGAPA Inc. at the regional forum did not only highlight the dedication of the people working behind our learning sites, but also the importance of livelihood and food availability in the community.