BUTUAN CITY (PIA) – A total of 169 cacao farmers from Buenavista in the province of Agusan del Norte and neighboring areas are poised to reap long-term gains after completing the Farmer Organization (FO)-Based Skills Training on Cacao Rehabilitation, Rejuvenation, and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), conducted under the Rural Agro-enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development (RAPID) and Growth Project of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Agusan del Norte.
The training brought together members from the Gosoon Authentic Limestone Agri-Farmers and Neighborhood Entrepreneurship for Family Economic Development Association (GALANEFFEDA), Buenavista Cacao Farmers Association (BUCAFA), and United Small Farmers Association (USFA), emphasizing practical strategies to restore and strengthen cacao farms affected by age, pests, and changing climate conditions.
Nicasio Tadlip, chairperson of BUCAFA, welcomed the intervention, noting its direct impact on the livelihoods of local cacao growers. “This training gave us the knowledge and tools we’ve needed. Through proper pruning, side-grafting, and GAP techniques, we now see the potential to increase our yield, improve bean quality, and sustain our farms for the next generation,” he shared.
Led by agricultural expert Cesar D. Caila of Caila’s Agricultural Consultancy, the sessions included hands-on demonstrations in cacao rehabilitation and rejuvenation techniques, such as side-grafting and strategic pruning. These practices are essential in reviving unproductive trees and boosting overall farm productivity.
In addition to rehabilitation techniques, the training tackled Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), covering soil and nutrient management, pest and disease control, and sustainable farming strategies—all critical in ensuring long-term cacao farm viability. Small farm tools were also distributed to help the farmers implement what they learned more effectively.
Lorijane D. Sacote, provincial director of DTI Agusan del Norte, emphasized the importance of the initiative, citing its alignment with the province’s broader development agenda. “This training equips our cacao farmers not only with technical skills but also with the confidence to innovate and scale their operations. By empowering them at the grassroots level, we’re paving the way for inclusive growth and a more competitive cacao industry in the region,” she said.
According to Sacote, the initiative supports the Cacao Detailed Investment Plan (DIP), which aims to rehabilitate and modernize cacao-producing areas in the province, ultimately increasing farmers’ income and market competitiveness.
Through this capacity-building effort, cacao farmers in Buenavista and nearby municipalities are now better equipped to meet industry standards, respond to market demand, and build a more resilient cacao sector in Agusan del Norte. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)
