Cagayan Valley Cacao Development Council (CVCDC) huddled during the Regional Cacao Cluster Consultation via Zoom application on 12 May 2021 to support the updating of the Philippine Cacao Industry Roadmap 2022 and beyond.
Currently, the development of the Cacao Industry in the country is guided by the Philippine Cacao Roadmap 2017-2022 outlining the country’s goal to produce 100,000 MT of fermented beans by 2022 for the export and domestic markets through a 40% annual increase in production. It also enumerates the strategies to achieve this goal.
In her message that was delivered by Division Chief (DC) Cynthia C. Talattad, DTI Cagayan Provincial Director Ma. Salvacion A. Castillejos, Supervising Director for Cacao Cluster, highlighted the importance of having participatory consultation to assess the current state of the industry at the regional level and determine current realities in the ground. “Due to the recent developments and external factors such as policy changes, economic disruptions, and occurrence of COVID 19 pandemic affecting the industry, it necessitates for the review and updating Cacao Industry Roadmap,” said Director Castillejos.
Presentation of data regarding Inputs-related, Production-related, and Processing/Trading-related Accomplishments and Targets, Challenges and Opportunities, Research and Development, Regional Target/Commitments, and Action Plan per agency/Provincial Council were discussed by representatives from Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Office 2, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 2, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 2, Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Isabela State University (ISU), Cagayan State University (CSU)-Lasam; and Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya Cacao Growers Inc.
Furthermore, inputs of the regional and provincial council members in the updating of the National Cacao Roadmap are relevant data in charting a more realistic, responsive, and strategic action in making Region 2 a significant player in the cacao domestic and global value chain. Outputs generated from the said activity will be the contribution of Cagayan Valley Region in the formulation of updated Philippine Cacao Roadmap 2022 and beyond.
In attendance during the meeting are DOST Provincial Director Sylvia T. Lacambra, representatives from Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), DA, PCA, DENR, CSU, ISU, Juliet C. Guieb of HG Guieb and other relevant cacao stakeholders. ♦
Date of Release: 18 May 2021