The Department of Trade and Industry in Davao Region (DTI-11) has partnered with industry partners to revive the regional cacao council.
“Together with the Department of Agriculture (DA), we move towards the reactivation of our cacao council to develop the industry further and promote inclusive growth among value chain players,” DTI-11 Director Maria Belenda Ambi said Tuesday.
The Davao Regional Cacao Industry Council (DRCIC), a private sector-led organization, was formed to increase private sector participation in developing government programs, activities, and initiatives that address the needs and requirements of the value chain players.
A total of 53 of DRCIC’s stakeholders have signed the memorandum of commitment with government agencies during the Cacao Industry Strategic Planning Workshop on May 12-13, 2022.
“We are glad that 53 representatives from government agencies, provincial cacao councils, cacao industry experts, producers, processors, and traders in the region contributed to the strategic plan. This was the first strategic planning workshop of the council since its inception in 2015,” Ambi said.
Since its formation, the council has helped pave the way for the recognition of Davao City as the Chocolate Capital of the Philippines, and the Davao Region as the Cacao Capital of the Philippines, as stipulated in Republic Act No. 115471.
“The region’s cacao farmers also garnered international recognition for producing the best quality cacao beans. In fact, in the International Cocoa Awards (ICA) 2021, a prestigious international competition participated by over 50 cacao-producing countries, two farmers in the region took home the gold and silver awards,” Ambi said.
DTI-11 Assistant Regional Director Delia Ayano said the DRCIC will be the primary coordinating mechanism for all Philippine government policies, programs, and initiatives in partnership with the private sector to develop the industry.
“The goal of the council is to produce 40,000 metric tons per annum of dried fermented cacao beans with a productivity level of two kilograms per tree per year by the end of 2027,” said Ayano, also concurrent DTI national coordinator for the cacao industry cluster. (PNA)
Photo Credit: www.davaocity.gov.ph
