Carlos Barsicula, manager of Chokolate de San Isidro (CSI) in San Isidro, Davao del Norte produces one of the best cacao beans in the world, according to the Cocoa of Excellence (CoEx) Programme. A renowned global competition, CoEx Programme is an entry point to participate in the International Cocoa Awards this coming October 2021 at […]
As the world celebrated Chocolate Day last July 7, the industry itself, like other consumer products was battered by the COVID-19 pandemic, because of restrictions on the supply chain after most of the countries resorted to lockdowns. In the Philippines, local producers were forced to stop or limit processing of cacao products after the declaration […]
San Isidro, Davao del Norte – Seated beneath a tall coconut tree and hiding himself from the scorching heat of the sun, Narciso Lara has been chopping coconut husks which he will use to surround other coconut trees in a practice called mulching to keep the soil healthy. “Ginagawa namin ito para lumamig ang puno,” […]
The Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF), in partnership with Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board Region XI, organized a green productivity training last September 20 in Davao City to ensure environmental preservation while maintaining profitability of social enterprises. The training emphasized to 11 social enterprises from Mindanao the threats of climate change and how to […]
The Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF) approved PHP 54.7 million for 22 projects in Mindanao for 2018, a 353% increase from the previous year according to its recently released annual report. Of these, 20 projects will support cacao, coconut, and coffee production and marketing, as well as basic social services in Mindanao. The biggest project […]
Eduardo Gonzaga, chair of LAMPCO Management Consultative Council in Sawata, said the new ideas and practices learned in training will be adopted in his 2.6-hectare coconut and cacao farm. “Dapat pagdating mo sa farm galing sa training, nasa isip mo na dapat magamit mo ‘yung natutunan mo kasi kahit ilang beses ka pa sumama sa […]
As a liaison officer in San Isidro municipal hall, Loreto Davis, 57, hopes to retire early so he can focus on managing his 1.7-hectare farm with 200 trees of coconut and 500 hills of cacao. With the falling prices of copra, Davis, a member of Small Coconut Farmers Organization (SCFO) in San Isidro has been […]
Wilma Puno, 75, dispelled the notion that only men can work in the farms, saying that for 40 years, she has maintained 1.8 hectares of coconut and cacao farm. “Kung kaya ng lalake, kayang-kaya naming mga babae,” she proudly proclaimed. Puno has been using agricultural practices such as mulching and pruning to make her crops […]
As a liaison officer in San Isidro municipal hall, Loreto Davis, 57, hopes to retire early so he can focus on managing his 1.7-hectare farm with trees of cacao and coconut. With the falling prices of copra, Davis, a member of Small Coconut Farmers Organization (SCFO) in San Isidro, Davao del Norte has been planting […]