“I hope Davao Oriental will be the Capital of Sustainable Chocolate.”
This is the bold statement made by Belgian Ambassador H.E. Michel Parys during his visit to the Province of Davao Oriental in time for the celebration of the Cacao Fiesta, which was organized by Kenemmer Foods International in collaboration with Belgian company Puratos on October 20, 2022, at Cacao Trace Center in Barangay Don Enrique Lopez, Mati City, Davao Oriental.
This feat would not be impossible to achieve with the Provincial Government’s ongoing efforts, led by Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon, to further develop and support the agriculture sector. It is worth mentioning that Governor Malanyaon has been actively promoting the cacao industry in the province since her tenure from 2007 to 2013.
“We have what it takes to succeed in agriculture,” Governor Malanyaon powerfully pronounced, addressing the local cacao farmers, executives from foreign companies, partners, and stakeholders. She also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making agriculture a top priority for economic growth and poverty reduction. As a result, the support system and increased program development targeted at this sector are now largely in operation.
Along with this, the provincial government has been consistent in its efforts to strengthen partnerships and find investors to capitalize on and locate their businesses in the province, particularly in the agriculture and tourism sectors.
Governor Malanyaon has emphasized how the current administration has equally applied ease of doing business and efficient government service delivery to create a competitive and sound business environment and attract more investors to the area.
With foreign businesses seeing high potential in Davao Oriental and now starting their operations in Davao Oriental in Cacao Farming, the Governor is optimistic for more investors to follow suit to open more job opportunities and uplift the status of the farmers in these communities. Governor Malanyaon expressed great delight that the farmers are now gaining significant positive results from their hard labor with the help of investors like Puratos.
Puratos is a Belgian food innovation company focusing on the production of bakery, patisserie, and chocolate ingredients. They have collaborated with Kennemer Foods International, Inc. for their operations in Davao Oriental. Kennemer is a Philippine agribusiness company specializing in the growing, sourcing, and trading of high-quality agricultural crops such as fermented cacao beans sourced from smallholder farmers. Both companies are committed to operating within a business framework that promotes market transparency, fair value pricing for produce, boosting farmer productivity, and implementing sustainable farming practices in order to sustain the development of rural communities.
Kennemer Foods International Operations Director Portia Sugsi stated that they have been engaging with approximately 3,000-4,000 cacao farmers throughout Davao Oriental and are committed to assisting them with the company’s long-term sustainable agricultural plans.
CACAO TOUR
As part of the conduct Cacao Festival, Puratos and Kennemer led a “Cacao Tour” in which executives, clients, and stakeholders participated in an excursion to two cacao farms in Mati City. This gave the tour participants a glimpse of how cacao plants are grown, harvested, and processed and even insights into the farming and farmers’ situation.
The team first visited Mr. Valencio Macaturac Sr.’s 18-hectare farm in Brgy. Bobon, Mati City, wherein the participants learned about the organic farming methods used by Mr. Macaturac to grow his crops. Puratos praised his methods and expressed an interest in learning more about them and exploring the possibility of applying those to other cacao farms they engage with.
Following that, the group went to a farm owned by the Marfori family in Brgy. Don Enrique Lopez, Mati City. Puratos Philippines planted cacao trees on this 20-hectare farm and has been using agricultural technology suitable for cacao plants to increase productivity.
During the tour, Selene Scotton, Puratos Asia-Pacific Regional Cocoa Manager, conveyed that the objectives of the Cacao Tour are to give back to the farmers and show their customers what goes into their chocolates. “We collaborate on building the concept of how we work with these communities, and it is important for us that we are engaged and see to it that we are doing good in our supply chain,” Scotton said.
The Cacao Festival also featured a Chocolate Café wherein guests and farmers alike were treated to sumptuous and ultra-delectable chocolate, and pastry treats prepared by Puratos resident chefs using Puratos products.
Also gracing the event were the executives of Kenemmer Foods International, Puratos Philippines, the Bai Ani Foundation, and executive officers of the Provincial Agriculture Office, Davao Oriental State University, and members of the Mindanao Cake Decorating Society. By Francis Jay Butulan | Photos by Mark Oliver Alvite
