Compostela Valley Province--- Comval cacao farmers receive their national awards and recognition being the qualifiers of the “National Cacao Awards” during the “National Cacao Congress – Kakao Konek 2018” held at the Davao Convention Center, Davao City on October 18 - 19, 2018.
There were thirty-three (33) individual farmers who participated in the contest coming from the different regions in the country and ten (10) of them are coming from Compostela Valley Province.
The participants from Comval are Pablo Pesquera and Ismael Polinar of the municipality of New Bataan, Ranilo Molina of the municipality of Laak, Marjorie Gallana of the municipality of Monkayo, Fernando Esquadro, Dean Mark Sabella and Marcelina Mangaron both in the municipality of Maragusan, Imelda Zamora of the municipality of Maco, Eugenio Alcaria, Jr. and Peter Paul Cruz of the municipality Nabunturan.
Meanwhile, the municipality of Maco in the person of Ms. Zamora was awarded the first place for the Biggest Cacao Beans and Mr. Sabella of Maragusan got the 2nd place for the Biggest Cacao Pods and 3rd place for the Biggest Cacao Beans with a bean count of 48 beans per 100 grams.
While Mr. Esquadro of Maragusan is also the 2nd place winner for the Biggest Cacao Beans with a bean count of 44 beans per grams.
According to Minda Agarano- Provincial Agriculturist that the objective of this is to increase awareness and promote education along cacao supply chain on the opportunity to produce high quality cacao beans and facilitate communication and linkage between cacao farmers, cocoa processor and the whole supply chain.
"We also wanted to document and share the outstanding initiatives and good agricultural practices of our outstanding cacao farmers to other farmers throughout the country, the Philippine cacao industry council," she said.
The contest was open to all individual cacao farmers throughout the country and the interested farmers submitted five kilos of fermented bean sample to the selection committee and evaluator.
Agarano added that during the competition, the selection committee is composed of six (6) well known processor and chocolate makers and one (1) representative from the academe. They properly evaluated the samples submitted based on the Philippine national standard on Cacao beans like bean count, bean grade and profile flavor of beans after roasting.
“Whoever wins for the 10 best quality beans will be elevated for the next year competition and for the Gold Award in 2019. They will receive a plaque and a 1 year supply of fertilizer good for 2 hectares and will be given a chance to be in Salon Du Chocolate in France to represent the Philippines for the International Cacao Awards contest in France,” said Agarano.
Meanwhile, Mr. Polinar of New Bataan, Mr. Cruz of Nabunturan and Mr. Alcaria of Nabunturan are the winners for the 10 best quality beans while the others received their certificates of recognition for actively participating in the activity.
“Indeed, this only proves that Comval's high value crops especially cacao has global potential for export quality,” said Agarano.
On the other hand, Usec. Evelyn Laviña congratulated the farmers for making it to the top 10 national cacao bean awards and biggest pods and beans contest. (Rey Antibo, ID Comval)
Photos:
Maragusan in their celebration of their 41st Araw ng Maragusan and 23rd Pyagsawitan Festival where Comval Gov. Tyron Uy is joined by . Special Assistant to the President Christopher Bong Go, Congresswoman Maricar Zamora, and other guests. the successful festival was led by Mayor Maricel Vendiola and Vice Mayor Cesar Colina. "Maragusan truly owns a special place in my heart. I always look at Maragusan with awe not only because of its pristine environment but the progress they've achieved through the years," said Gov Uy. (m.lasaca/id comval)
