DTI, DAR upskill Agusan Sur women, young entrepreneurs on cacao innovation
By Kelvin Kennt R. Generalo
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur — DAR Agusan del Sur, through its Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and in partnership with the DTI Agusan del Sur, conducted a training on Cacao Innovate at the NGPI Multi-Purpose Cooperative Cacao Processing Center in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.
Diana Nica G. Delamente, a youth participant and member of the NGPI Multi-Purpose Cooperative, praised the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Caraga for helping young and starting entrepreneurs upgrade their food processing and product development skills.
“Through the training programs of DTI and DAR, as well as their technical assistance, product development initiatives, and marketing support, we have gained valuable knowledge and significantly improved our products, particularly in cacao processing,” Delamente said.
“Don’t be ashamed to seek help or take advantage of the government programs offered by agencies such as the DTI and DAR. They provide training, mentoring, technical assistance, and other support programs that can help both aspiring and growing entrepreneurs,” he added, while encouraging her fellow micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to avail of government programs that support local businesses.
Held on August 18, the learning session was facilitated by Rosanna Jose Lisbos, research and development head and manager of Lisbos Cacao Trading, along with her business partner, Tirso Lisbos. The facilitators shared advanced cacao-processing techniques, product-development strategies, quality-improvement measures, and practical recommendations to enhance NGPI MPC’s Diwata Chocolate brand and develop new market-ready cacao products.
The training was part of DTI’s commitment under its Farm Business School (FBS) partnership to strengthen agrarian reform beneficiaries and rural enterprises by promoting product innovation, value-adding, and entrepreneurship in the local cacao industry.
“DTI Agusan del Sur has greatly helped the NGPI cooperative, especially our women and youth members, by equipping them with knowledge on entrepreneurship and business management,” said Jessidel B. Samson, a member of the NGPI Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
“DTI also extended grant assistance to our processing plant by providing equipment that we now use to process our products. These include a roasting machine, winnowing machine, grinding machine, melanger, tempering machine, vacuum sealer, and chocolate molds. Because of this support, we can now produce both tableya (native chocolate) and chocolate,” Samson added.
DTI Agusan del Sur Director Marson Jan S. Dolendo also joined the activity and encouraged the participants to cultivate an innovative mindset. He emphasized that creativity, quality, and continuous learning are essential in producing competitive chocolate products that can reach wider markets.
“Cacao has become an important and promising industry for Agusan del Sur, and we see many opportunities for our farmers and local enterprises. However, as the market continues to grow, we must keep pace with changing consumer preferences and find new ways to make our local cacao products stand out,” Dir. Dolendo said.
“Through the cacao innovate training, DTI Agusan del Sur, in close coordination with DAR Agusan del Sur, hopes to help NGPI MPC explore new flavors, improve its products, and learn techniques that the cooperative can apply in its operations. More importantly, we hope that the knowledge gained from this training will lead to new products, expanded market opportunities, and greater benefits for the cooperative and local cacao farmers,” he added.
The initiative reflects the continuing collaboration between DTI and DAR to create sustainable livelihood opportunities and increase the value of locally grown cacao for farming communities in Agusan del Sur.
Through these government-led interventions, farmers, women, and young people are given access to the knowledge, tools, and opportunities they need to improve their livelihoods. By providing training, equipment, technical assistance, and market support, DTI and DAR help transform local cacao production into a more sustainable and profitable enterprise.
The continued partnership demonstrated how government programs can empower communities, strengthen rural businesses, create jobs, and ensure that the benefits of development reach the people who need them most. (KKRG, PIA Agusan del Sur with a report from DTI Agusan del Sur)