The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is committed to strengthen community-based tablea production in farming communities in North Cotabato.
DOST Secretary Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said new sets of equipment for mass production of cacao tablea have been deployed to cacao farmers in North Cotabato.
The University of Southern Mindanao’s (USM) deployment of the equipment is part of the project, “Tablea: Pangkabuhayan Para sa Kotabateňong
Pamayanan: Community-Based Tablea Production for Sustainable Livelihood in Cotabato”.
The project is funded and monitored by the DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).
“The project is in response to COVID-19 economic recovery through value adding among cacao farmers in North Cotabato, specifically in the municipalities of Aleosan, Antipas, and Tulunan,” de la Peña said in a taped report.
He said 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 local cacao farmers in Cotabato through capability building training-workshops,” the DOST chief said.
Cacao farmers thanked the DOST for the assistance extended to them.