MANILA – Nakatanggap ng tulong mula sa Department of Science and Technology (DOST) ang hanay ng cacao farmers sa Bukidnon dahil sa umuusbong na industriya nito sa lalawigan.
Ayon sa Science department, tumaas pa ang annual net association income ng cacao farmers sa Malaybalay City dahil sa Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program ng provincial office.
“DOST-Bukidnon turned-over a complete set of cacao processing equipment to the Malaybalay City and Malaybalay City Cacao Growers Association (MCCGA),” ayon sa Science department.
Kabilang sa mga gamit na itinurn-over ng ahensya sa cacao farmers ay mga roasting maching, grinder, stainless steel table, sealers, digital weighing scale.
Bukod sa kagamitan, magbabahagi rin daw ang DOST Regional Office 8 ng hands-on training sa tablea at paggawa ng chocolate, good manufacturing practices at food safety.
“Counterpart support was also provided by the LGU and the farmers’ organization amounting to P58,800.00 and P100,000.00, respectively.”
Ayon sa Science department, libre na ring makakadalo sa iba pang trainings ang MCCGA.
Layunin ng proyekto na mahikayat ang iba pang magsasaka na magtanim at mag-negosyo para makasali sa Global Fairtrade.
“This project provides MCCGA a durable and sustainable cacao postharvest (drying to fermentation) and processing facilities (grinder, etc.) which will help increase the income of marginal cacao growers in the city.”
Samantala, lumagda naman ng memoranda of agreement ang DOST-Cordillera para sa tatlong proyekto ng cacao at soybean processing sa Ifugao.
Kabilang sa mga benepisyaryo ng proyekto ang:
- Saint John Organic Farm Families Organization and the local government unit of Brgy. Nayon, Limut
- Nalbu Women’s Organization and the LGU of Brgy. Nalbu, Mayoyao
- Jireh Organization and LGU of Brgy. Poblacion, Banaue
