ISABELA -- The Department of Trade and Industry Region 2 (DTI R2), through its Industry Development Division (IDD), initiated the conduct of Skills Training on Cacao Bean Grading and Sensory Analysis at HJ Guieb Farm in Barangay Panang, San Agustin this province recently.
The activity is one of the pro-active initiatives that the DTI R2 is undertaking to develop and boost the productivity and competitiveness of all cacao stakeholders in the region.
The Cacao Bean Grading and Sensory Analysis Training, only the second training to be conducted in Luzon, is aimed at improving the skills of cacao farmers and processors through lectures and actual exercises on cacao bean sorting and grading.
Cut testing and sensory evaluation were also part of the training.
Meanwhile, Louie Cena, Vice President of Cacao Pilipinas Sensory Resources Inc. from Davao City, Davao del Sur, shared his expertise by serving as the trainer during the activity.
They also provided on-site cacao farm demonstrations on appropriate pruning techniques, grafting, farm management, and cacao production tips.
A total of 35 cacao farmers and processors from the provinces of Isabela, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya attended the training.