THE UNIVERSITY of Southern Mindanao partnered with the Department of Science and Technology to provide high quality cacao planting materials in farming communities in North Cotabato.

DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said the deployment of the equipment is part of the project “Tablea: Pangkabuhayan Para sa Kotabateňong Pamayanan: Community-Based Tablea Production for Sustainable Livelihood in Cotabato.”

De La Peña said the project is funded and monitored by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development.

“The project is in response to Covid19 economic recovery through value adding among cacao farmers in North Cotabato, specifically in the municipalities of Aleosan, Antipas, and Tulunan,” he said.

Under the project, each municipality received one cacao grinder, one cacao sheller and winnower, one cacao roaster, one vacuum sealer, one cabinet, 15 pieces of trays, and other supplies for the production of cacao tablea.

The project will continue until March 2022 and is expected to support more cacao farmers through capability building training-workshops.