REINFORCING its commitment to agricultural development and local enterprise growth, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Iloilo successfully conducted two batches of training on cacao production on July 3 to 4 in the municipality of Sara.
This initiative, held in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and the Local Government of Sara, is part of DTI Iloilo’s ongoing efforts to equip cacao nursery operators with the technical skills and knowledge needed to improve cacao farm productivity and sustainability. The training covered a wide range of topics such as good agricultural practices, integrated pest, disease, and nutrient management, and modern propagation techniques.
Cacao expert Relvin B. Paragua led the sessions. His presentations were followed by a demonstration on cacao grafting and farm establishment, allowing participants to gain practical, hands-on experience.
For his part, Mayor Jon Aying expressed his full support during the event and encouraged the adoption of an integrated agroforestry system — a model that combines cacao, coffee, and coconut, with banana as an intercrop — to diversify income sources and improve farm resilience.
DTI Iloilo, through this initiative, underscores its vital role in strengthening the cacao value chain, enhancing farmers’ competencies, and promoting inclusive growth in rural communities. It added that the training serves as a step forward in building a robust cacao industry in northern Iloilo and beyond./PN
