Author: TeamPDS

The harvesting and post-harvesting works are farm-activity-critical in preparing cacao wet beans into quality dry fermented cacao beans (DFCB).

(Small-scale fermentation with uneven / inconsistent fermentation process by cacao growers

(Small-scale post-harvesting, with drying of beans problematic during wet rainy days especially during long rainy months which most of the time coincide with peak harvesting months; with sun-drying very limited during rainy months. Drying using semi-mechanical unit such as samoan-drying system may be necessary to ensure the fermentation process will continue into drying process, especially if the volume is big, will be more efficient and on-time.)

Commercial cacao plantation in neighboring countries producing high-volume DFCB with post-harvest facility afford to produce tonnage volume on a daily basis set-up; which could be adapted for centralized post-harvest facility to process wet beans from small-scale growers into clusters in strategic location within the community of cacao growers giving direct access to market. wet beans can be sold at fair price to processor.

(Semi-mechanical dryer set-up with maximum capacity of 12MT cacao wet beans drying within 3days at average 30% Dry-Wet-Conversion (DWC) ratio)

(Mechanical samoan-dryer @ 15MT cacao wet beans capacity)

Centralized post-harvest facility to facilitate cacao wet beans processing into dfcb, allowing direct market for growers to sell wet beans to processor at fair market price with dry-wet-conversion ratio fixed at 30% (30kg dfcb from every 100kg wet beans) based on prevailing local market price; situated in strategic location, clusters of cacao growers can easily access direct from farm converting wet beans to cash, without the hassle of fermentation & drying; avoiding mouldy beans during wet rainy days which usually harvest peak-months coincide with rainy season…. an idea worth considering to encourage cacao growers expansion programs.

 (Mechanical dry beans sorting apparatus, capable to sort out dry beans into 3 main Grade (110/100, 110/120, >120, waste and flat /split beans) at 30 bags within 2hours.)

(small-scale samoan-dryer with 3MT cacao wet beans capacity )

Studies show this recommended Commercial Cacao Plantacion Fertilizer Program (CCPFP)

This reference is based on previous proven farms with accredited cacao variety and the rates can be applied equivalent to your local fertilizer supplier, either organic or inorganic. FYI.

Plant breeding is an on-going studies in Research & Development (R&D) to acquire better plant variety with improved yield, crop characteristics, tolerant to Pest & Disease (P&D), adapted to local soil & weather conditions and most importantly the participation of local farmers community to be encouraged using these newly-developed plant variety in their farms to increase livelihood income.

Cacao plant varieties also have the same purpose by their innovators / breeders.

Increase in yield will be the main criteria as this is the direct effect of the farmers willingness to plant the recommended cacao variety, increase in farm profitability.

Other important aspect is plant vigor to sustain local changing weather changes, low pod value, big bean size, high butter content, low shell content, susceptible to P&D and last but not least, genetic-related cacao flavor which may fetch premium price for specialized market.

(among the 1st Generation Cacao Farms in Bicol — circa early 2000s)