MisOr extends livelihood aid to cacao farmers

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/997847
• Wednesday, June 28, 2017 4:18 pm

(CD/PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 28 (PNA) -- The provincial government of Misamis Oriental is extending assistance to cacao farmers in a bid to develop the cacao farming industry in the province, provincial governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano said Wednesday.

Emano said the assistance is part of the province's livelihood assistance program for farmers.

The governor said he made the announcement as the provincial government through the provincial agriculture office is set to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Kennemer Foods International (KFI), Inc.

The KFI, Inc. is a Philippine agribusiness company that specializes in sustainable growing, sourcing and trading of high quality agricultural crops such as fermented cacao beans sourced from smallholder farmers.

Emano said the province has identified some selected farmers in the municipal towns of Opol and Alubijid as the initial beneficiaries of the cacao livelihood assistance.

He said the KFI through the provincial agricultural office would provide high quality planting materials at pre-agreed price or at a reasonable price.

The KFI would also extend technical assistance for the growing of cacao, an intensive cacao doctoral training, and purchases all the cacao beans produced by the farmers, Emano said.

He said that a KFI authorized cacao consolidator would subject the cacao beans to a stricter product quality standard and buy the beans under the current market price.

According to Emano, the provincial government would retain five percent of the sales of the cacao products from cacao growers starting from the fourth year from planting until the 50 percent repayment of any cash assistance is met.