The massive distribution of cacao seedlings by the different government agencies was expected to produce a metric ton of cacao beans. However, due to the unstable price of such, the farmers had lost their interest in maintaining and taking care of their planted cacao trees to become productive.

Establishing a secured market and stable price of cacao beans encourages the cacao farmers to improve their cacao farming. Chocolate processing is one of the solutions to add value to the products and support the cacao industry.

The Rehoboth Agriculture Cooperative (RACO), located at Prk. 1, Arguelles St., San Francisco, Panabo City, Davao del Norte, started as an association in 2012 and registered to the Cooperative Development Authority on 07 June 2017. It has 150 members, composed of cacao and non-cacao farmers.

The coop just started its chocolate production after they were formed into a cooperative. Henceforth, they enhanced their business after they were able to avail the grant from the World Bank thru the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP), Department of Trade and Industries (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and other government agencies.

Thereupon, the RACO’s chocolate production acquired certifications to Food and Drug Authority’s License to Operate (LTO) and secured the Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) for 100% dark chocolate.

As a result, the operation of chocolate processing created direct employment to five (5) housewives, four (4) indirect employment. The cooperative had bought more or less two (2) tons of cacao fermented beans amounting to more or less Two Hundred Sixty Thousand (P260,000.00) to the cacao farmers at a fair price.

Given these points, RACO’s linkages and its self-help values were truly taken into consideration as they were able to expand and provide more not only for their cooperative but also for the economy of the Philippines through their Chocolate Production.

Reference: Best Practice Report submitted by Rehoboth Agriculture Cooperative