Cacao production expansion project mulled

BALANGA CITY, Bataan – the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) has authorized Bataan Governor Albert S. Garcia to enter into an agreement with the Department of Agriculture (DA) for a high-value crop production expansion project in upland villages in the province.
The SP Resolution No. 264 sponsored by Board Member Benjamin C. Serrano, Jr. of the provinces’ 1st District and chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Food and Fisheries said the project involves the total appropriation of P 1,875,000, the P 1.5 million of which will come from the Department of Agriculture while the provincial government counterpart in the scheme is amounting to P 375,000 for distribution to qualified cacao farmers organizations as beneficiaries.
Based on the project description of the DA and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) will distribute Cacao seedlings for the establishment crop expansion projects which have been identified to reach 50 hectare coverage areas for 15 upland farmers in the three towns of Orani,Abucay and Orion and component City of Balanga.
The budgetary allocations are intended for the acquisition of 3l,250 cacao seedlings to cover the expansion area for cacao production in Bataan.
The Cacao Production Expansion Project aims to promote and sustain of equatorial crop and to generate additional revenues for upland farmers in the locality having a climatic condition and soil characteristic which are conducive atmosphere for cacao production with large current market demand and higher export prices.
Bataan topography is characterized as convenient site for high value crop utilization due to mountainous land mass dominated largely by uplands, hills and valleys covering 80.9% of the total land area of the province.