The Philippines’ strategic location and favorable soil and climatic conditions make the country the best option for planting cacao. However, cacao production in the country does not meet the growing demand as most cacao growers are not using high quality planting materials.
The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) currently addresses this challenge through promoting the use of high quality and high yielding cacao varieties (HYV) in nurseries and plantations; rehabilitating unproductive plantations; and utilizing cacao pods or postharvest wastes as green energy source.
Under the program, DOST-PCAARRD, in partnership with DOST-Region 9 and Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology (DOSCST), established six community-based nurseries and budwood gardens in Zamboanga del Sur and Mati, Davao Oriental to produce high quality cacao planting materials. These facilities raise and distribute National Seed Industry Council (NSIC)-recommended cacao varieties, which include UF18, PBC-123, W10, and BR25.
Fifteen hectares of unproductive cacao plantations in Mati, Davao Oriental were already rehabilitated and have improved cacao bean yield from 1 kg per tree to 1.5 kg per tree through “chupon” grafting and organic fertilizer application, specifically vermicast.
On the other hand, efforts through the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) are also ongoing to put pod husk into good use by converting it into briquettes as a potential source of alternative energy. The technology is being pilot tested and training is underway to facilitate characterization of physical and chemical properties as well as the financial viability of the product.
High-yielding cacao varieties and potential use of pod husks for briquettes, along with the Council’s leading R&D initiatives in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources sectors, will be featured during the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) on July 25-29 at the Council’s complex. This year’s NSTW adopts the theme, Juan Science, One Nation.
The Council will also celebrate its fifth anniversary on July 28, 2016. This will highlight the National Symposium on Agriculture and Aquatic Resources Research and Development (NSAARRD) on July 27, 2016 wherein the winning papers will be awarded in the afternoon of the said date. The NSAARRD showcases the most outstanding contributions of individuals and institutions in improving the state of the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources sectors through research and development.