Bamboo and cacao, considered as “green” and “brown” gold respectively from the forest, were the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD)’s featured commodities in Northern Mindanao’s Science and Technology (S&T) Week Celebration in Cagayan de Oro.
Both commodities offer a bounty of wealth for local producers given the proper cultural management practices and use of improve varieties of cacao and bamboo.
With improved practices and varieties, annual yield of cacao beans per hectare can increase from 1-1.6 tons (2016) to 2 tons (2020). This could translate to a 60% increase in productivity and 50% increase in income for smallhold farmers.
Likewise for bamboo, this could also result in increase pole production per hectare by 20% from 800 poles to 1000 poles. This increase helps sustain supply and source of quality bamboo poles, benefiting local producers with added income.
When these are achieved, the glitter from bamboo and cacao can become real bounty for our farmers.