To strengthen cacao production and support sustainable farming practices, the Philippine Coconut Authority – Camarines Sur 1 (PCA Cam Sur 1) and the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) jointly conducted a training on cacao rehabilitation and grafting for local coconut-cacao farmers on June 4, 2025, in Lupi, Camarines Sur.
Held for members of the Lupi Cacao Planters Association (LUCAPA), Agrinova Cooperative, and Haluban Cacao Farmers, the training gathered 25 participants who were taught practical skills to improve cacao tree health and boost bean quality.
Mr. Nestor R. Gaurana, a faculty member from the CBSUA College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, served as the resource speaker. He shared in-depth knowledge on cacao rehabilitation, with a focus on proper pruning methods and side grafting techniques. Participants were given hands-on opportunities to apply these techniques on-site, helping them gain confidence in rehabilitating aging cacao trees.
The training aimed to equip farmers with the tools and techniques needed to enhance their productivity and produce high-quality dried fermented cacao beans, a key to increasing their market competitiveness and income.
This initiative forms part of the broader Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), integrating cacao as a complementary crop for coconut farmers. The activity was coordinated by Ms. Ma. Delfa S. Estrada, PCA-CFIDP Convergence Focal Person, and Prof. Vladimir R. Foronda, CBSUA Director for Extension Services and CBSUA-CFIDP Convergence Focal Person. On-ground facilitation was handled by Mr. Emmanuel Estrada (PCA) and Mr. Marvin Molin (CBSUA).
This successful collaboration between PCA and CBSUA highlights their shared commitment to empowering local farmers, promoting crop diversification, and driving agricultural development in the Bicol Region. With their newly acquired skills, Lupi’s cacao farmers are better equipped to improve yields, elevate bean quality, and contribute to the region’s growing cacao industry. | Report and photos by Marvin R. Molin, CBSUA Extension Services Division
