P31-M Cacao Project to aid farmers in Zambo Norte

Date Published: July 16, 2020

Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte-Beneficiaries of Cacao Production and Marketing Enterprise in Zamboanga del Norte shared positive experience as the project implementation continues.

Alberto J. Enot, a member of Piñan Multi-Purpose Coop, is among the 250 farmer-beneficiaries. The enterprise subproject gives him hope that one day he will acquire additional income that can sustain the needs of his family.

“I availed the cacao production hoping to have an additional income. I’m also thankful for this “plant now, pay later” project because we know how expensive it is to grow cacao. Once we will begin harvesting our cacao, we will start paying the coop. Through this project, I will be able to provide the needs of my family,” said Enot.

The Cacao Production & Marketing Enterprise worth P31M aims that after 5 years there will be an increase of at least 30% of farmer-beneficiaries’ annual capita income from an annual average income of P18,483 (PSA 2012) to at least P24,028;  increase production of cacao beans from 0.31 MT to 1 MT per hectare; increase in the use of idle and vacant coconut areas planted to cacao from 275.50 hectares to at least 1,000 hectares; increase the number of farmers engaged in cacao production from 4,434 to at least 5,000; and increase each cluster member-coops’ membership by at least 200 members by continuous advocacy on cacao farming and giving assistance to interested farmers through plant now play later scheme.

The Package I (Input Provision) of this project is composed of nursery with 50,000 seedling capacity per cycle with an area of 1,250 sq.m., and Organic Fertilizer where a cluster member will go into a 450 bag capacity per month at 50 kilos per bag vermicast facility with an area of 120 sq.m.

 Packaged II composed of Fermentation and drying these activities will be undertaken by POEMCO MPC and Sindangan FACOMA. Two fermentary and drying facilities will be established under the Project to ensure timely fermenting and drying of wet cacao beans with an area of 50 sq.m/fermentation and drying for Marketing and Trading. POEMCO MPC and Sindangan FACOMA will spearhead the marketing and trading activities. They will consolidate wet beans for fermenting and drying, packaging and delivery to buyers. Two Marketing and Trading will be established under the project with an area of 300 sq.m./marketing and trading. To date, Package I is now 61.00% completed. (Joy M. Montecalvo with reports from InfoACE 9)

 

 

Facebook Twitter Email