“I am very thankful that our head allowed us to come here and now I have more additional knowledge on Cacao. The topics on value-adding are very much appreciated. Our province, Apayao already started eyeing the cacao industry and our problem is in boosting our Cacao farmers so that they will follow the technologies now because of the trainings conducted by the different government agencies, we will use this to encourage them and hopefully by the following years, their production will increase. We hope that they will be interested in growing Cacao as this is a promising industry, aside from its pods we can also benefit from its leaves and others.” Expressed Mr. Shildon Busiguit, staff of MGLU Calanasan, Apayao during the closing program of the training entitled “Training of Trainers (TOT) on the PNS Code of Practice for Cacao Beans with Value Addition for AEWs and Farmer Leaders of CAR.”
Dr. Cristine Esnara, Project Officer, cited in her overview that the Philippines can be a potential producer of Cacao. It has the capacity to produce good quality cacao beans due to its climatic conditions and soil characteristics that are conducive for growing cacao. At present, there is an increasing interest of local farmers due to the increasing local and international demand for cacao products, which is beyond the production capacity of the country with world price that is constantly favorable. With the positive attitude towards sustainable cacao production in the country, the Philippine can compete globally in the world's supply of cocoa products. However, concerns on food quality and safety, environmental and social sustainability issues for cacao products have always been the challenge for growers. Microbial, biological and physical hazards are concomitant with all the stages of cacao production, from primary production to transport or shipment. All these have to be considered as these affect the quality and safety of cacao beans. Also, particular attention has to be given to minimizing Ochratoxin, a contamination that normally encountered during fermentation process.
She added that to be globally competitive, we need to ensure that the products being produced are safe, quality and suitable for human consumption. Thus, this training on cacao production is necessary for farmer leaders and agricultural extension workers to enhance their knowledge of cacao production on good agricultural practices and principles so that they can efficiently assist their farmer clients in their compliance to the GAP standards and eventually guide them on their clients’ application for GAP certification.
The content of the training course focused on the Situationer of Cacao Industry in the Philippines; Food Safety and Its Regulatory Systems, Code of Practice for Philippine Cacao Beans, Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Ochratoxin A Contamination in Philippine Cacao Beans.
Participants were also exposed to the production of seedling and cacao management and had an intensive practicum on asexual propagation, pruning, and other cacao management practices such as harvesting and bagging techniques. Moreover, participants were taught about the Value addition for Cacao: Tablea processing and other cacao products. Also, a special topic on Values and Re-orientation was discussed with the participants.
The said training was held on July 16-19, 2024 at the Love Natures Farm and Ifugao State University, Lamut, Ifugao with a total of 35 participants.
