Source: DAR­BDCD Zamboanga del Norte

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently signed the Cacao Production and Purchase Agreement with Kennemer Foods International, Inc (KFI) involving five Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) in the selected Agrarian Reform Communities (ARC) in the Province of Zamboanga del Norte.
Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II (PARPO II) Moh Dassan Adju said that a total of
Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II (PARPO II) Moh Dassan Adju said that a total of 1200 hectares of agricultural land will be planted with cacao in the selected ARCs of this province. The Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) will finance the cacao production under the Agricultural Production Credit Program (APCP) amounting to Php 88 million through loan. Meanwhile, DAR will assist the ARBOs in the preparation of loan documentary requirements for submission to LBP.

The KFI through Allan M. Datu‐Iman said that they have a long term growing program for the cacao farmers. KFI will provide the high quality cacao seedlings, trainings, supervision and a buy‐ back guarantee of the harvest.

The five click here ARBOs who will benefit the project are Gabu, Balas, Lawigan Agrarian Reform Cooperative (GABALARBECO) in Labason; San Miguel Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi‐ Purpose Cooperative (SMARBEMCO) in Mutia; Siari Valley Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi‐ Purpose Cooperative (SVARBEMCO) in Sindangan; Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries of Marcelo Multi‐Purpose Cooperative ( ARBEMCO) in Kalawit; and, Depane, Don Jose Aguirre, Gupot, Linay, Lingatongan, Saluyong Agrarian Reform, Cooperative (DAGLLISARCO) in Manukan. “The DAR‐KFI partnership will bring the desired outcome of increased farmer’s income and farm productivity. That compelled us to expand our target from 200 hectares to 1,500 hectares cacao area in the entire province,” said PARPO I Rizzel B. Villanueva.

PARO Villanueva added that a minimum of 100 hectares per municipality will be established to the 15 municipalities as a pilot area to serve as catalyst for good cultural practices of cacao growing.
Gracing the agreement signing‐activity and expressing their support to the program were Sindangan Mayor Florentino Sy, Labason Mayor Eddie Quimbo, LBP Manager‐Lending Center Vinicius Hamoy, KFI Marketing Specialist Virginio Jamon, ARBO Chairmen and other DAR Officials.