The National Cacao Congress shows off the newest technologies and ideas

MindanaoHerald | The National Cacao Congress shows off the newest technologies and ideas | DAVAO CITY – An important person in the cacao industry said that the two-day National Cacao Congress 2023 showed new and creative ways to improve the areas and get the private sector, government, and non-government groups to work together again.

Dante Muyco, chairperson of the Davao Regional Cacao Industry Council, said that people at the event on November 16th and 17th are talking about important issues like the problems the cacao industry is facing, like how to make farms more productive, make sure products are of high quality, transfer technologies, market, brand, and position Philippine cacao.

“We think these issues can affect people all over the world, which is why our partners from the International Cocoa Organization and PUM (Programma Uitzending Managers) Netherlands are here to give us real-life examples,” Muyco said Thursday.

When asked about the possibilities for the industry as a whole, Muyco said that the Philippines has won many international awards and been at the top of the Cacao of Excellence rankings every year since 2017.

“As we all know, prices on the world market are at their highest point ever, and demand is growing in Asia,” he pointed out.

Also, he said that because the country has so many large areas of coconut trees, improving farmers’ incomes through intercropping gives them the chance to do different things on their farms.

Leo Tereso Magno, who is the Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao, said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration is determined to help the cacao business grow by working with the private sector.

“Your goal is to address what the cacao industry needs, my office which is under the office of the President, has committed to your leaders that I am always willing to help you,” he stated.

At the event, Senator Mark Villar was the guest of honor, and he also spoke out in support of the cacao business.

“I agree with you that we want to help the attendees get higher yields from their cacao farms so that they can meet not only local demand but also the famed standard of quality that Filipino cacao growers have earned,” he said.

Also, he thanked Jose Saguban, a local chocolate farmer, who was named one of the world’s Top 50 producers of the Best Cocoa Bean Samples at the 2019 International Cocoa Awards.

At the moment, the Philippines alone needs 50,000 metric tons (MT) of cocoa goods every year, but the country only produces 10,000 to 15,000 MT.

In 2014 and 2015, it was thought that the world needed 4.1 million MT of cocoa.

When it comes to producing cacao, the Philippines is ahead of other Asian countries because of its strategic position, good weather, and good soil.

The Philippine Statistics Authority says that 81 percent of the country’s annual cacao production comes from the Davao area. It is said that at least 80% of the country’s cacao crops are grown in and around Davao City, making it known as the chocolate capital of the Philippines. (via PNA)