What’s a sweeter future for our cacao farmers and chocolatiers?

With the support of the De La Salle University Biological Control Research Unit, local producers of cacao are creating a new technology that could protect their farms from pest infestations. From this technology, they ultimately seek to develop a more sustainable farming system for their families and communities.

In the 1980s, being the first country in Asia to grow cacao in a plantation type, the Philippines became the highest producer of cacao in Southeast Asia. Those were indeed sweet, abundant years for the local farmers—until around the end of that decade when pests and diseases, particularly cacao pod borer, hit the major cacao estates in the country. In the early ‘90s, the industry was almost wiped out.

Today, the local cacao producers have regained momentum as the world takes notice once again of the country’s delectable, premium chocolate products at global fairs.

From the lessons of the past and in order to further push the revival of the cacao farmers’ sector, Dr. Divina Amalin, University Fellow, professor of De La Salle University and member of the Biological Control Research Unit, has embarked on a research focusing on the development of BIOCOAT-Z, a particle film technology that protects the cacao pods from particular pests, thus helping produce more quality beans for chocolate-making. It is the research unit’s mission to develop bio-based pest control management strategies to aid agriculture and medical fields.

Dr. Amalin says that while Davao is the popular region for the business, other areas such as Isabela in northern Luzon and areas in the Visayas have started investing in the production of high quality cacao beans.

Cacao thrives in a tropical climate, ideally 20 degrees north and south of the equator where the temperature is the right balance of humidity, heat, and moisture. The Philippines, given its abundant seasons, has the perfect climatic conditions for cacao beans to grow and flourish. With this gifted soil and climatic conditions, the farmers’ greatest liability remains to be the pests.

Farmers’ welfare

Dr. Amalin shares that currently, farmers use techniques of chemical control and plastic sleeving that are not only laborious, but also have consequences for the beans, their health, and the overall wellness of their environment.

In order to lessen the burden on the ones taking care of the plants and beans, the research team identified the gaps in protecting the cacao plants from pests while ensuring that the high quality of beans and farmers would not be endangered in the process.

To put it simply, Dr. Amalin explains that “BIOCOAT-Z is a coating agent with the use of clay particles, the zeolite. We call it bio because we added an entomopathogen—this is a pathogen or a microbe that can kill the insect of interest.” Zeolite is an abundant and accessible clay mineral. It acts as a deterring agent for the two specific attackers of cacao pods—the cacao pod borer and the cacao mirid bug.

BIOCOAT-Z has been presented and recognized for its valuable contribution to the farmers and the agricultural sector. Dr. Amalin shares that their team is currently working with an industry partner on the structure of the zeolite for it to be used by farmers in a sprayable manner. She adds that the research team is also developing ways to use the same technology on other crops.

Distinctly Filipino, global brand

Today, a good number of local artisans are championing Philippine chocolates in a slow but steady strategy. Some local chocolate brands had breakthroughs in placing the country beside global chocolatiers. The roadmap to boosting cacao production is made possible by protecting the crops, the farmers, and their communities.

Dr. Amalin says that her research team’s hope is to see local farmers continue producing cacao beans, which have their distinct flavor, to sell to fellow Filipino chocolatiers. The production targets may still be far from the cacao farmers’ goal, but with the right strategy partnered with the right pest management program, it is not impossible.

 

Contact: Dr. Divina Amalin | divina.amalin@dlsu.edu.ph