In an effort to enhance local cacao production, the City Agriculturist Office (CAgro) in Davao City is set to distribute 50,000 cacao seedlings to farmers this year. Fe Oguio, the cacao focal person at CAgro, announced that the seedlings, sourced from the Department of Agriculture, will be distributed by the end of the second quarter. This initiative is a response to the increased demand and favorable market prices for cacao.
Oguio highlighted that the distribution targets to exceed last year’s figure of 25,000 seedlings, which was hampered by low production due to the extreme heat caused by El Niño. She emphasized the importance of this year’s program, noting that it aims to support the city’s 7,933 cacao farmers and the over 5,000 hectares dedicated to cacao cultivation.
Encouraging farmers to take advantage of the current high prices, Oguio stressed the potential for growth in the cacao sector. Additionally, CAgro has increased its field staff to offer technical support and facilitate connections between farmers and buyers, aiming to strengthen the local cacao industry.