Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) officers led by President Edward Du with Executive Director John Jalandoni held a meeting with the Malaunay Cacao Farmers and Chocolate makers at Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) office in Dumaguete City to ensure the success of the PRDP-World Bank Project in Valencia, Negros Oriental.<\/p>\n
The Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI)<\/strong>, led by President Edward Du<\/strong> and Executive Director John Jalandoni<\/strong>, held an important meeting with Malaunay cacao farmers and chocolate makers<\/strong> at the NOCCI office in Dumaguete City<\/strong>. The purpose of the meeting was to ensure the successful implementation of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP)<\/strong> funded by the World Bank<\/strong>, specifically in the Valencia area<\/strong>, which aims to boost the cacao industry in Negros Oriental<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The PRDP-World Bank project<\/strong> is designed to support the development of the agricultural sector, focusing on cacao farming, processing, and value-chain improvements<\/strong>. It targets improving the livelihoods of local farmers and chocolate makers while enhancing the quality of cacao products<\/strong> for both the local and international markets.<\/p>\n The collaboration between NOCCI, cacao farmers, and local stakeholders aims to fulfill several key objectives of the PRDP-World Bank Project<\/strong>:<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd39 Enhancing cacao production<\/strong> by providing farmers with access to better farming practices, tools, and resources. During the meeting, President Edward Du<\/strong> and Executive Director John Jalandoni<\/strong> met with Malaunay cacao farmers<\/strong> and chocolate makers<\/strong> to discuss the implementation process<\/strong> of the PRDP-World Bank project. The discussions centered around farmers\u2019 needs, challenges, and opportunities for growth<\/strong> within the cacao industry.<\/p>\n A key part of the discussion was the importance of improving cacao farming practices<\/strong>, particularly in the areas of soil health, pest management, and crop diversification<\/strong>. Farmers expressed their interest in adopting more sustainable farming practices<\/strong> that would not only enhance cacao yields<\/strong> but also ensure environmental preservation.<\/p>\n The meeting also highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts<\/strong> between NOCCI, the local government<\/strong>, and other key industry players. John Jalandoni<\/strong> emphasized the need for effective cooperation<\/strong> to maximize the benefits of the PRDP-World Bank project.<\/p>\n “The cacao industry has immense potential to contribute to the growth of our local economy,”<\/em> said Edward Du<\/strong>. “Through this project, we aim to provide the support and resources that farmers need to elevate their production quality and expand their market reach.”<\/em><\/p>\n The PRDP-World Bank project<\/strong> provides training, technical support, and resources<\/strong> to cacao farmers and chocolate makers. This includes workshops on post-harvest processing<\/strong>, certification standards<\/strong>, and business management skills<\/strong>. Farmers will also gain access to modern agricultural tools<\/strong> and receive subsidies for farm inputs<\/strong> such as high-quality planting materials and fertilizers.<\/p>\n The goal is to help farmers enhance cacao bean quality<\/strong>, particularly through proper fermentation and drying techniques<\/strong>, to meet international standards. By improving the quality of cacao beans, the project hopes to increase the global competitiveness<\/strong> of cacao products from Negros Oriental.<\/p>\n Another important topic discussed during the meeting was market access and linkages<\/strong>. Cacao farmers and chocolate makers voiced their concerns about finding stable markets for their products. In response, NOCCI<\/strong> reaffirmed its commitment to creating market connections<\/strong> through business matching events, trade fairs, and partnerships<\/strong> with chocolate manufacturers.<\/p>\n NOCCI aims to connect local farmers with local and international buyers<\/strong>, which will help to diversify their sales channels. The chamber will also assist in creating branding and marketing strategies<\/strong> for Negros Oriental cacao products to elevate the province\u2019s profile in the global market.<\/p>\n The project\u2019s impact extends beyond cacao farmers and chocolate makers to the broader community in Negros Oriental<\/strong>. By improving cacao production and processing<\/strong>, the PRDP-World Bank project<\/strong> will create new jobs, strengthen local businesses, and stimulate economic growth.<\/p>\n Edward Du<\/strong> emphasized the long-term sustainability of the project. “We\u2019re not just focused on short-term gains; this project is about ensuring that cacao farming and processing can provide sustainable livelihoods<\/strong> for generations to come.”<\/em><\/p>\n Looking ahead, NOCCI<\/strong> plans to continue working closely with Malaunay cacao farmers<\/strong> and chocolate makers<\/strong> to ensure the successful rollout of the PRDP-World Bank project. The chamber will monitor the project\u2019s progress, provide ongoing support, and adjust strategies to address emerging challenges.<\/p>\n Additionally, the partnership between NOCCI, cacao farmers, and the local government<\/strong> will serve as a model for other rural areas<\/strong> in Negros Oriental, where agriculture-based industries have the potential for significant growth and development.<\/p>\n The meeting between NOCCI officers<\/strong> and Malaunay cacao farmers<\/strong> marks an important step in the success of the PRDP-World Bank project<\/strong>. By providing farmers with the resources and support they need to succeed in the cacao industry, this initiative is poised to enhance the local economy<\/strong> and improve sustainability<\/strong> in the agricultural sector.<\/p>\n With collaboration, training, and improved market access<\/strong>, the cacao industry in Negros Oriental<\/strong> is set to flourish, opening doors to both local and international markets<\/strong>. NOCCI\u2019s ongoing efforts to support cacao farmers reflect the chamber\u2019s commitment to sustainable growth<\/strong> and economic development in the region.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) officers led by President Edward Du with Executive Director John Jalandoni held a meeting with the Malaunay Cacao Farmers and Chocolate makers at Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) office in Dumaguete City to ensure the success of the PRDP-World Bank Project in Valencia, Negros […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3265,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":1,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,38],"tags":[233],"class_list":{"0":"post-3264","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-agriculture-fisheries","8":"category-business-development","9":"tag-prdp-world-bank-project"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nocci.biz\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3264","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nocci.biz\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nocci.biz\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nocci.biz\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nocci.biz\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3264"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nocci.biz\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3264\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nocci.biz\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3265"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nocci.biz\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3264"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nocci.biz\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3264"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nocci.biz\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3264"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Key Objectives of the PRDP-World Bank Project<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n\ud83d\udd39 Improving post-harvest processing<\/strong> to create premium-quality cacao products.
\n\ud83d\udd39 Creating market linkages<\/strong> to connect farmers with chocolate makers, local businesses, and international buyers.
\n\ud83d\udd39 Promoting sustainable agricultural practices<\/strong> to ensure long-term viability for cacao farming in Negros Oriental.
\n\ud83d\udd39 Expanding cacao-based enterprises<\/strong> and creating additional value-added products for local consumption and export.<\/p>\nMeeting Highlights: Empowering Farmers and Chocolate Makers<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Training, Resources, and Technical Support<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Strengthening Market Access and Linkages<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Local Impact and Long-Term Sustainability<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The Future of Cacao in Negros Oriental<\/strong><\/h3>\n