Mistakes can become opportunities if one learns from them.
This was one of the valuable insights from the Cacao Link Luzon Congress held in San Fernando, Pampanga on Nov. 16-17. It was organized by the Philippine Cacao Industry Council Region 3 (Kapampangan Development Foundation as chair—0917-8403711), with the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Alyansa Agrikultura.
The cacao plant was introduced in the Philippines in 1670.
Since cacao grows only along the equatorial belt, we have a competitive edge. This is because our geographic location allows us to grow higher value cacao.
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In fact, the cacao industry gradually grew until its peak in the early 1990s, when it was producing 35,000 metric tons (MT).
Production eventually declined due to weather conditions, pest and disease infestations, aging trees and decreasing world prices. Instead of making money, the industry incurred losses. And without the proper technology transfer and marketing know-how, cacao production plummeted.
