By Nimfa L. Estrellado DA mobilizes Php 20M Coconut Levy funds for Calabarzon cacao growers to accelerate value-added production and market ...
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| DA mobilizes Php 20M Coconut Levy funds for Calabarzon cacao growers to accelerate value-added production and market entry. (Quezon Provincial Agriculture Office) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon – DA Undersecretary Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero confirmed, the mobilization of Coconut Farm Industry Development Program funds for intercropping growers. The funding package will support the nation's vital third-largest coconut producer while directly addressing the historical funding gap for the practice.
With a 2024 cacao output of 409 metric tons, Calabarzon affirmed its role as a major national contributor, lending weight to the new funding commitment. This increased output drives the successful diversification of the region's agricultural base beyond its traditional focus on rice and coconut.
The Cacao Congress 2025, themed "Flavor of the Future: Unlocking Calabarzon's Cacao Potential," highlighted the shift toward value-added products and away from raw commodity sales. The event, held at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City, drew approximately 400 delegates and 25 exhibitors, encompassing local cacao growers, specialized processors, and regional industry stakeholders.
Farmers from across the CALABARZON region showcased their unique chocolate creations, underscoring the region's quickly growing industry. The powerful exhibit, which ran on October 22, 2025, sets the stage for ongoing symposiums, promotions, and live demonstrations continuing through October 24, 2025.
Quezon Province hosts the event as local officials aggressively push to become the "Cacao Capital of CALABARZON," leveraging its vast coconut lands for cacao intercropping. The convention provided a crucial platform for regional bodies to coordinate development efforts and accelerate the transition of smallholders to high-value agribusiness.
In her speech Caballero emphasized that the region's confirmed 4% contribution to the national total positions it as a significant emerging force capable of influencing national cacao supply chains. This growing output, stemming from successful crop diversification, strengthens its role in the country's overall agricultural economy.
"The DA mobilized Php 20 million in initial funds from the Coconut Farm Industry Development Program (CFIDP) specifically for cacao intercropping projects across Calabarzon. This critical financial support comes directly from the Coconut Levy Fund, ensuring the resources serve coconut-producing regions specifically." she said.
According to Caballero the allocation underscores a commitment to maximizing the economic utility of coconut farmlands across Calabarzon through intercropping. These resources will support over 500 farm clusters by providing cacao seedlings and hands-on training in post-harvest processing to boost bean quality.
"The essence of this Php 20 million investment is to equip farmers with the tools of quality, not just quantity, This specialized training in post-harvest processing is the bridge that takes our beans from commodity status to world-class premium product." she said.
The funding directly addresses the historical gap in financing farmers who cultivate both major crops on the same land. Previously, agricultural regulations often limited official support to single-crop farms, thus excluding the intercropping model prevalent among smallholder coconut farmers.
This initiative marks the latest chapter in the country's long cacao history, contrasting sharply with the 1980s boom which relied on tax incentives for large-scale investments. The current strategy prioritizes sustainable growth by focusing on smallholder support, quality production, and diversification rather than acreage alone.
DA Regional Executive Director Fidel L. Libao addressed the long development cycle of the cacao crop, which spans three to five years before full production. Libao advised growers to secure resources for short-term crops like vegetables to ensure interim financial returns and maintain stable income during the waiting period.
Quezon Governor Angelina Tan signaled strong political support for the cacao industry, defining it as a fundamental investment in long-term economic security. Her strategic goal targets international export markets for high-value products like cacao butter in cosmetics, transforming the region's image from a commodity producer.
Partner agencies formalized their support for the initiative; the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) committed its Negosyo Centers to provide vital marketing and technical assistance. The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) will also assist farmers seeking Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification, a crucial standard for ensuring product safety and accessing high-value markets.
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