The Davao region and whole of Mindanao urged to produce 100,000 metric tons of cacao beans by end of this year 2020

The Davao region and whole of Mindanao are aiming to produce 100,000 metric tons of cacao beans by end of this year 2020. Prioritization of the cacao industry aims to position the region as the country’s cacao capital. In 2015, the Department of Agriculture and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in an effort to collaboratively enable the Davao region and the whole of Mindanao to rise up to the challenge. The MOA mandates the two agencies to carry out policies and action plans that will double the land areas set aside for cacao planting, to be able to increase production and income of cacao farmers and stakeholders. Aside from production, the Agriculture Department will assist growers in various value-adding activities.