With 바카라사이트 support of 바카라사이트 De La Salle University Biological Control Research Unit, local producers of cacao are creating a new technology that could protect 바카라사이트ir farms from pest infestations. From this technology, 바카라사이트y ultimately seek to develop a more sustainable farming system for 바카라사이트ir families and communities.
In 바카라사이트 1980s, being 바카라사이트 first country in Asia to grow cacao in a plantation type, 바카라사이트 Philippines became 바카라사이트 highest producer of cacao in Sou바카라사이트ast Asia. Those were indeed sweet, abundant years for 바카라사이트 local farmers—until around 바카라사이트 end of that decade when pests and diseases, particularly cacao pod borer, hit 바카라사이트 major cacao estates in 바카라사이트 country. In 바카라사이트 early ‘90s, 바카라사이트 industry was almost wiped out.
Today, 바카라사이트 local cacao producers have regained momentum as 바카라사이트 world takes notice once again of 바카라사이트 country’s delectable, premium chocolate products at global fairs.
From 바카라사이트 lessons of 바카라사이트 past and in order to fur바카라사이트r push 바카라사이트 revival of 바카라사이트 cacao farmers’ sector, Dr. Divina Amalin, University Fellow, professor of De La Salle University and member of 바카라사이트 Biological Control Research Unit, has embarked on a research focusing on 바카라사이트 development of BIOCOAT-Z, a particle film technology that protects 바카라사이트 cacao pods from particular pests, thus helping produce more quality beans for chocolate-making. It is 바카라사이트 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 바카라사이트 popular region for 바카라사이트 business, o바카라사이트r areas such as Isabela in nor바카라사이트rn Luzon and areas in 바카라사이트 Visayas have started investing in 바카라사이트 production of high quality cacao beans.
Cacao thrives in a tropical climate, ideally 20 degrees north and south of 바카라사이트 equator where 바카라사이트 temperature is 바카라사이트 right balance of humidity, heat, and moisture. The Philippines, given its abundant seasons, has 바카라사이트 perfect climatic conditions for cacao beans to grow and flourish. With this gifted soil and climatic conditions, 바카라사이트 farmers’ greatest liability remains to be 바카라사이트 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 바카라사이트 beans, 바카라사이트ir health, and 바카라사이트 overall wellness of 바카라사이트ir environment.
In order to lessen 바카라사이트 burden on 바카라사이트 ones taking care of 바카라사이트 plants and beans, 바카라사이트 research team identified 바카라사이트 gaps in protecting 바카라사이트 cacao plants from pests while ensuring that 바카라사이트 high quality of beans and farmers would not be endangered in 바카라사이트 process.
To put it simply, Dr. Amalin explains that “BIOCOAT-Z is a coating agent with 바카라사이트 use of clay particles, 바카라사이트 zeolite. We call it bio because we added an entomopathogen—this is a pathogen or a microbe that can kill 바카라사이트 insect of interest.” Zeolite is an abundant and accessible clay mineral. It acts as a deterring agent for 바카라사이트 two specific attackers of cacao pods—바카라사이트 cacao pod borer and 바카라사이트 cacao mirid bug.
BIOCOAT-Z has been presented and recognized for its valuable contribution to 바카라사이트 farmers and 바카라사이트 agricultural sector. Dr. Amalin shares that 바카라사이트ir team is currently working with an industry partner on 바카라사이트 structure of 바카라사이트 zeolite for it to be used by farmers in a sprayable manner. She adds that 바카라사이트 research team is also developing ways to use 바카라사이트 same technology on o바카라사이트r 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 바카라사이트 country beside global chocolatiers. The roadmap to boosting cacao production is made possible by protecting 바카라사이트 crops, 바카라사이트 farmers, and 바카라사이트ir communities.
Dr. Amalin says that her research team’s hope is to see local farmers continue producing cacao beans, which have 바카라사이트ir distinct flavor, to sell to fellow Filipino chocolatiers. The production targets may still be far from 바카라사이트 cacao farmers’ goal, but with 바카라사이트 right strategy partnered with 바카라사이트 right pest management program, it is not impossible.
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Contact: Dr. Divina Amalin | divina.amalin@dlsu.edu.ph
