The Cocoa Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (CocoaPhil) and the Davao City government are set to sign an agreement to implement the Coconut, Cocoa and Palayamanan (CoCoPal) farming system project to boost cocoa production in the Davao Region.
Leonardo R. Avila III, officer-in-charge of the City Agriculturist Office (CAO) here said CocoaPhil aimed to introduce the farming system models towards better yield that could contribute to improvement of the quality of life of farmer-partners through the implementation of the CoCoPal project in Davao City and Davao Oriental.
Avila said the foundation would conduct technical training on the farming systems to agricultural technologists and farmers. It will also assist the local government unit in the maintenance of plant nursery, post-harvest facilities and organic fertilizer production.
At present Davao Region produces 80 percent of the 6,000 tons of cocoa yield in the country per year.
Avila said the plan to sign an agreement between the foundation and the city government was prompted after the city lawmakers recently authorized Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to sign the proposed pact.
Under the draft agreement, the city will provide manpower and facilities for the project. [PNA]
