‘PHL must fight pests, diseases to boost cacao output’

PESTS and diseases destroy as much as 40 percent of the country’s output of cacao, a high-value crop used for making chocolates, according to an expert.

Dr. Tamie Solpot, associate professor at the University of Southern Mindanao, said during a recent webinar that the government and planters must prioritize pest and diseases management if the country wants to raise cacao output.

Citing data from the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), Solpot said an estimated 30 percent to 40 percent of cacao crops are destroyed by pests and diseases.

“Ganoon po kataas ‘yung possible na losses kapag napabayaan po natin yung ating cacao plantation at hindi po natin na-manage at nagkaroon ng interventions [That’s the possible losses cacao plantations could incur if proper management and interventions are not rolled out],” he said.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the country produced 10,759.12 metric tons (MT) of cacao last year. This was harvested from 32,945.08 hectars, a level that hardly expanded based on figures from the agency.

While the Philippines has a competitive advantage in cacao production given its location and climatic condition, Solpot said the country’s cocoa production accounts for less than 1 percent of global output.

“So far, (the Philippines) contributes only about 0.1 percent to global production, but we have many areas that may be planted with cacao,” he said.

Citing PSA data, an industry roadmap prepared by the Department of Agriculture (DA) indicated that Philippine cacao production is increasing, albeit at a slow pace. However, output continues to fall short of domestic demand.

Among the factors that hinder cacao production in the country are low productivity, unsustainable cacao farms, competing crops, changing weather conditions, and pests and diseases.

“Pests and diseases would determine the quality of our beans and our cacao is being challenged with not only one but many kinds of pests and diseases,” Solpot said.

He said one of the major cacao diseases that strikes plantations is the vascular streak dieback (VSD) which hits young and adult cacao crops.

A study published in Coffee and Cocoa Research Journal revealed that in Indonesia—the world’s third largest producer of cacao—vsd leads to a drop in plant productivity and death of susceptible plants.

“What we can do is practice regular pruning…it can also promote good air circulation which may make the environment less favorable for the development of the disease,” Solpot said.

He added that the cacao pod borer, an insect that attacks cacao, could result in the total damage of plants if it is left uncontrolled.

“Kapag hinayaan natin mas lalo silang nag-multiply kasi wala tayong ginawang employment ng management strategies. Pwedeng hindi tayo makapag-harvest totally [Without employing management strategies, the pest would multiply and totally destroy crops],” he said.

Solpot said pesticides could remedy infestations but warned against its improper usage, saying it should be used “as a last resort.”

“When we constantly use pesticides, the chances of pesticide resistance is high especially kapag same na active ingredient ‘yung ginamit natin.”

According to the DA’S cacao roadmap, the country’s annual cacao production averages only 10,000 MT to 12,000 MT.

Under the roadmap, the government’s goal is to produce 50,000 MT of quality fermented beans by 2025.