The City Government of Davao, through the City Agriculturist Office (CAgo), conducted on May 17, 2024, a Cacao Industry Stakeholders Technical Forum at the Grand Men Seng Hotel.
Davao City Agriculturist Office Officer-In-Charge Edgardo Haspe, in an interview with the City Information Office on Wednesday, said that the event was attended by farmers, processors, exporters, and other stakeholders of the Cacao Industry in Davao City.
He said that the gathering was a huge success.
“Dako kaayo ni’g impact sa mga farmers diri sa Davao City because during the forum na inform sila about global market situation sa atong cacao, kay medyo nimahal na gyud ang Cacao. Na-discuss pud ang result sa research sa academe, and ang mga exporters nag share pud about sa possible demand of cacao in other countries (This forum has a huge impact on the farmers in Davao City because during the forum they were informed about the global market situation of Cacao because the price of cacao went up. Research results of the academe were discussed and the exporters also shared the possible demand of cacao in other countries),” Haspe said.
Haspe added that during the forum, the low production of cacao in the city was discussed, and long-time cacao farming practitioners shared their knowledge about new technologies on how to improve it.
Haspe said that they aim to provide support to cacao farmers by providing fertilizer to them. They will set the criteria as to who will be the eligible recipients.
Haspe said that they conducted the forum in support of the declaration of Davao City as the Cacao Capital of the Philippines. It was also among the activities for the Farmers and Fisherfolks Month celebrated in the whole month of May.
The office aims to make the techno forum for cacao farmers a yearly event.
As of date, Davao City has more or less 6,000 hectares of cacao with 9,000 cacao farmers, the majority of whom are located in third district areas of Calinan, Baguio, Tugbok, and Marilog. There are also cacao farmers in the second district, in Paquibato. CIO
