Ifugao to host 2nd Cordillera Chocolate Fest set for August

Baguio City, Philippines - Following its successful debut in Benguet last year, the Cordillera Chocolate Festival will be heading to Ifugao for its second round, ready to fuel the region’s budding cacao industry.

More than a celebration, the second run will serve as a strategic marketplace, linking cacao farmers and processors to buyers to strengthen the value chains and boost the industry in the region, which is considered as a sustainable source of income, according to the Chairman of Cordillera Cacao Industry Development Council (CCIDC), Eva Ritchelle Padua.

This year’s festival was initially slated for July 22 - 24 but was postponed due to unforeseen venue scheduling conflicts. Despite the delay, the excitement has not cooled as around 300 cacao farmers are set to converge at Ifugao State University in Lamut, Ifugao, on August 14 - 15.

From bean to bar and beyond

The two-day event will feature a range of activities in store designed to celebrate cacao in various forms.

Among the highlights include mini trade fair highlighting homegrown cacao products and processing tools, cacao bean grading competition, and cacao pod contests with search for top three longest pods, heaviest pods, and pods with the most number of beans.

The best tablea (100% cacao) and 70% dark chocolate, as well as the most sustainable cacao farm, will likewise be hailed.

In addition to the festive activities, the second quarter regional meeting of the CCIDC will be held to discuss policies and programs to further boost cacao development in the region.

Cacao farming on the rise

The CCIDC said cacao farming in Cordillera is getting a boost with over 1 million trees now planted.

Though the current production still falls short of the national goals, Padua believes their efforts are paying off, noting that the production in Benguet alone has doubled this year compared to last year when supply was scarce.

Eyeing an annual yield of up to 50,000 metric tons of dried and fermented beans, the council is closely working with the Department of Agriculture - Cordillera and partners in the private sector to roll out new interventions from farmer training to post-harvest support.