With Davao Region being declared the ‘Cacao Capital of the Philippines’, the Department of Agriculture XI through its High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) seeks to strengthen the cacao industry by providing Cacao Postharvest Processing Facilities worth 3.9 Million to the Southern Davao Multipurpose Cooperative which includes cacao storage building, cacao fermentation facility, and cacao solar dryer which was turned over by DA-XI Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Andres L. Alemania to SDMC Chairman Preciano E. Natad in a turnover ceremony at Basiawan, Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental.

DA recognizes the importance of cacao as a driver of rural development because of its potential as a raw material that can increase the country’s export earnings, said Alemania. He also called on SDMC to take care of their facilities and utilize it to its full potential to produce world-class chocolates.

Present during the turnover was Provincial Agriculturist Nally S. Bangoy, Department of Agrarian Reform Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer in Davao Region Julio Lupas, Department of Trade and Industry Program Director Ma. Joycelyn F. Banlasan, Municipal Agriculturist Wendell Albacin, and a representative from the office of Municipal Mayor Josephine Mariscal. | via Reicza Gene Langahin, RAFIS XI

Photo Credit:

Sitti Jane Abastillas

Source: agriinfodavao facebook page