Cacao Production and Processing starts up at ISAT U
  Cacao beans have always been the source of chocolates worldwide. Cacao plants thrive well in tropical countries like the Philippines. However, as per data from Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Davao region as the major producer of cacao produced a mere 2.53 thousand metric tons only or 80.2 percent of the country’s total cacao production from July – December 2022 while the local consumption reach almost 50, 000 metric tons.
   The quality and quantity of beans available in the market to be processed into chocolates are some of the identified gaps in the cacao industry that need to be addressed. Along this line, the Philippine Cacao Industry Authority/Philippine Cacao Industry Corporation, Inc (PCIA/PCIC), in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, (DA), the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), and The Department of Industry (DTI) conducted a national Training of Trainers (TOT) on Cacao Bean Fermentation, Drying and Grading last February 01 to 10, 2023 at the University of Southern Mindanao (USM), in Kabacan, North Cotabato. The ISAT University sent Mr. Francis Sendin to the said event.
   One of the proposed plans of the TOT graduates is to cascade gained knowledge and learning in cacao bean grading to the cacao industry players, cacao farmers, and processors anchored in the Philippine Cacao Industry Road Map. Hence, an echo seminar in the said TOT was organized and spearheaded by Mr. Sendin.
  The aforementioned echo seminar at the University level was participated by selected faculty and staff researchers of the Colleges and Campuses of the University. Some of the objectives of the echo seminar are to impart skills and knowledge in cacao production, processing, and other post-harvest operations and to identify research potentials in developing R & D in addressing cacao production and processes issues.
   Even in a short duration of time, Mr Sendin discussed topics on Cacao Bean Fermentation, Drying, and Grading based on what was discussed by the Resource Speaker during the TOT; The Science of Chocolates and the Basics in Cacao Production. There was also a Q&A portion in Cacao Production and Processing, a sample of the Cacao Bean Cutting Test, and visits to the various projects of the Campus.
   For his part, Dr. Richard De Leon, the Director of the Research Services Division of the University encouraged everyone to participate actively in cacao research and development, seeing the potential of cacao in the market. He also discussed his interest in sending a participant to the national TOT in cacao bean fermentation, drying, and grading.
   As a token during the echo seminar, more or less a hundred ready-to-plant seedlings of cacao were also given to the participants as start-up trees to ignite their passion for cacao farming.
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