Department of Trade and Industry-Region 2 (DTI-Region 2), in collaboration with the Cagayan Valley Cacao Development Council successfully conducted the Advocacy Webinar on Good Agricultural Practices for Cacao on 20-21 April 2020 via Zoom and Facebook Live.
It was attended by more than 100 cacao farmers, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), processors, farm enterprises, regional line agencies (RLAs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), provincial local government units (PLGUs), LGUs, and cacao enthusiasts from the region including participants as far as the provinces of Ifugao, Cavite, and Laguna.
DTI-Cagayan Provincial Director (PD) Ma. Salvacion A. Castillejos, the Supervising Director for Cacao Cluster, delivered the message of Regional Director Leah Pulido Ocampo and assured DTI-Region 2’s support to cacao enterprises in their pursuit to improve their product quality through adoption of GAP standards. “Always remember that the competition in the cacao industry is getting tougher and being at par with others will keep us growing. Rest assured that DTI-Region 2 will always be there to support you at all times, at all costs,” added PD Castillejos.
“It is our belief that with appropriate government intervention, cacao production in the region will not only increase in yield but will have the ultimate potential to capture premium markets,” said Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Executive Director Narciso A. Edillo, in his message as he expressed DA Regional Field Office Region 2’s (DA-RFO2) full support in the development of the cacao industry in the region.
The activity, though virtually held was interactive, remarkable, and inspiring. The importance of proper cacao nursery establishment and management, production of quality planting materials, farm management, and grafting were highlighted as essential factors in the production of good quality cacao pods. Mr. Pedro V Cruz, consultant at DTI-Rural Agro-Industrial Partnership for Inclusive Development (RAPID) Growth Project, emphasized that quality is therefore at the heart of economic, environmental, and social components of cacao sustainability. Quality is key at all stages of the value chain from production, processing, and manufacturing.
“Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) is a language of trade for food safety, it ensures the sustainability of farmer practices, competitive edge, and provides a wider market access for GAP-certified farms”, as emphasized by Ms. Editha Cortina, DA-RFO2 GAP Focal Person.
GAP certification procedures and requirements were extensively discussed including the assistance that the government can provide to farm enterprises who are interested to apply for the said certification. Participants in the said webinar will be handheld by the agency to prepare them to apply for GAP certification. Adopting common standards and practices assures that the cacao enterprises will produce the same premium quality fine flavor cacao at the desired volume, thus they will gain their economies of scale to supply the requirements of local and global markets for fine flavor cacao and its by-products. ♦
Date of Release: 23 April 2021