A farmer-based cacao plantation was officially launched in Don Salvador Benedicto town in Negros Occidental on Friday, August 1.
The project is spearheaded by Ramon Uy Sr., president of the RU- Ecological and Agricultural Development Foundation Inc., and Chris Fadriga of the Criollo Cacao Nursery and Plantation.
The initiative is in collaboration with the Benejiwan Integrated Social Forestry Association and the Provincial Environment and Management Office, Engiemar Tupas, trade and industry development specialist of the Department of Trade and Industry in Negros Occidental, said on Sunday.
It aims to empower local farmers and establish Negros as a future producer of high-quality chocolate, Uy said.
This is their second such plantation, following a successful launch in Sagay City two weeks earlier, Tupas said.
Uy and Fadriga also plan to establish farmer-based cacao plantations in Ayungon in Negros Oriental and in Candoni and Cauayan in Negros Occidental, Tupas said.
The ultimate goal is to plant 200 hectares with Criollo, a rare cacao variety, by the end of the year, he added.
The project is designed to directly benefit farmers. Uy’s vision is to make Negros a major chocolate producer by partnering with local farmers, Tupas said.
“He provides them with essential inputs like seedlings and organic fertilizers at a minimal cost. The farmers will pay for these supplies after two to three years when the trees start bearing fruit, as Uy has committed to buying their harvest,” he added.
Tupas noted that while big companies have expressed interest in partnering with Uy, he has refused their offers to ensure that the project directly helps the farmers.
During the launch, members of the Benejiwan Integrated Social Forestry Association and eight other people’s organizations planted 1,500 Criollo cacao seedlings.
The event was attended by Department of Environment and Natural Resources Negros Island Region assistant regional director Joan Gerangaya and Don Salvador Benedicto Mayor Nehemiah Joe Dela Cruz, who both pledged their support for the project.
The DTI is also backing the project with market and product development support, Tupas said.
“Two or three years from now, we will see farmers enjoying the fruits of their labor and Negros may be the site of foreign investment on chocolate making”, he said.*