LAOAG CITY – The province of Ilocos Norte is expanding its cacao plantations in the towns of Adams, Pagudpud, and Vintar this year to boost economic livelihood and diversify income of farmers.
As one of the promising high-value crops and the province having an extensive area suitable for growing it, cacao growing is being promoted by the provincial government in collaboration with various government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade Industry.
In the towns of Pagudpud, Adams, and Vintar, several farmers in the area are expanding their cacao plantations with hybrid varieties, while the local government units assist them with the provision of various agricultural inputs including organic fertilizers.
“This year, we have expanded our cacao plantations to diversify and strengthen our agricultural sector,” Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc said Thursday, enjoining more farmers to plant more high value crops instead of rice to increase their income.
Cacao, also known as the “tree of love” and food of the Gods, produces dried and fermented fatty seed, which is used to make chocolates. It is also applied in food, beverage, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
Dr. Bielmaju Walley, a cacao plantation owner and food processor in Adams, Ilocos Norte, told the Philippine News Agency on Thursday the government’s renewed interest to boost the cacao industry is a welcome development particularly to the indigenous peoples community of Adams.
She said that during the 1980s, several cacao varieties were introduced in Adams, making the municipality the cacao capital of Ilocos Norte.
To sustain the operation of a local chocolate factory in Adams, which is now engaged in producing chocolate bars, tablea, cacao wine, and chocomint drinks, at least 10 more hectares of cacao plantation are being developed as a start-up.
“This is a welcome development and hopefully, our cacao growers will get more assistance such as the provision of quality planting materials to improve crop yield,” she said.
According to the DTI, cacao has strong domestic and export market demand and is now considered a very important commodity.
In support to cacao growers, the DTI has provided more than PHP1 million worth of cacao processing facility in Adams town, giving more jobs to the locals.
Based on latest survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority, Ilocos Region ranks 12th in cacao production in the country out of the 16 regions, contributing 15.29 metric tons annually. (PNA)