PAGADIAN CITY, Feb 15 (PIA) – Exhibitors of around 40 showcased locally made by products from cacao, coffee and coconut during the five-day 3rd Kakao Festival in Zamboanga del Sur.
Sweet and scent lovers treated themselves with an array high quality local products ranging from delicacies, bath and beauty soaps, scents and gift items.
Themed “Zamboanga del Sur Triple Treat (Cacao, Coffee, Coconut): Filipino farmers as the new heroes;” farmers tending the triple treat products are encouraged to be entrepreneurs to increase family income as they respond to the increasing demand of the product.
Based on the Philippine cacao industry forum report, the global demand for cacao in 2020 was estimated between 4.7 million to 5 million MT but a cocoa shortage is also predicted at 1 million MT. The Philippines alone consumes 50,000 MT annually while the local supply is said to be somewhere between 10,000-15,000 MT. A shortage of 35,000 to 40,000 tons of cacao each year, which the country imports.
On the other hand, Filipinos are expected to consumed 3.78 kilograms of coffee per person by 2025, according to data from Philippine Statistics and Facts.
These figures are compelling reasons for Zamboanga del Sur provincial government lead by Governor Victor Yu supported by Congresswomen Divina Grace Yu and Jeyzel Victoria Yu of the 1st and 2nd Districts, along with the technical assistance of the different line agencies to help farmers increase their production in these crops and its by products.
Product development of tablea , sikwate, iced tablea making, choco pastries making, cake decorating, coffee brewing, learning marketing opportunities for hybrid coconut intercropping and pest and disease management training are the support services provided by the Department of Trade and Industry and Technical Skills Development Authority.
Youngsters have the opportunity to explore their imagination and creativity through participation in the Trade Industry’s On the Spot Coffee Painting Contest. Joan Aronales, Shayan Kisley Alisson and April Jay Perong bag the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prices, respectively.
Liargaonon Coffee from the municipality of Ramon Magsaysay asks the patronage of local coffee lovers saying, every cup of coffee has a rich and inspiring story to tell – a story that begins with passionate, hard-working farmers who strive to make a better live for themselves and to build a better future for their children.”
The five-day 3rd Kakao Festival on February 10 to 14, 2023, ended with the signing of a pledge of commitment to demonstrate the full support of the provincial government and stakeholders to the conduct of the annual festival to pursue the goal of empowering and uplifting the lives of the farmers and MSME’s of cacao, coffee and coconut industries. (EDT/N. Edaga with reports from Victory Zamboanga del Sur)
