Quirino’s Cacao Integrated Project launched in Aglipay

CABARROGUIS, Quirino, Feb. 4  (PIA)—The provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here in partnership with the provincial government and the municipal government of Aglipay recently launched  the Shared Service Facility (SSF) Integrated Cacao Post-Harvest Facility and Processing Hub at the Municipal Hall Compound of Aglipay.

DTI Provincial Director Ma. Sofia G. Narag said the project aims to improve MSME competitiveness by providing machinery, equipment and tools particularly for cacao farmers.

The SSF is DTI’s flagship project aimed at improving MSME competitiveness by providing machinery, equipment, tools, systems, accessories and other auxiliary items, skills and knowledge under a shared system.

The launching of the said project is part of the activities to jumpstart the celebration of the year-long celebration of the province’s 50th founding anniversary.

According to DTI Provincial Director Ma. Sofia G. Narag, the  project envisions to establish a facility wherein farmers can be assisted in the completion of value chain from bean production, processing to marketing.

Furthermore, the project  aims to help farmers, producers and traders  to be more progressive to achieve a world-class quality of cacao products from the province.

Meanwhile, Governor Dakila Carlo 'Dax' Cua thanked the DTI for its unrelenting partnership with the provincial government as he assured his full support to the development of cacao industry.

On the other hand, Mayor Jerry Agsalda also acknowledged the efforts of the Department in the implementation of its SSF projects in the municipality.

Last November 2020, the cacao farmers participated in the two-day webinar on Cacao 102: From Bean to Bar where they witnessed an actual demonstration of cacao refining.

Additional cacao starter kits composed on pruning shears and cacao management booklet also awarded to the farmers after the webinar.

Last month, some cacao stakeholders such as cacao farmers, Quirino State University and the provincial government through the Office f the Provincial Agriculture participated in the Organizational Strengthening of the Cagayan Valley Cacao Development Council. (MDCT/TCB/PIA 2-Quirino)

Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)