CACAO FARMING

Managing inputs Use proper tools such as secateurs and sharp bolo in har-
Prior to fertilization, have your soil tested for soil deficiency . vesting. Store the pods for a day prior to pod breaking.
Use the results as your basis of soil fertilization. See manag-
BY: JANOZ XN YESU S. LAQUIHON
ing cacao inputs for schedule of fertilization. (Source: ACDI/
VOCA).

POST-HARVEST ACTIVITIES
Pod Breaking
Break the pods with caution to prevent damaged
beans. Use Pod Breaker. Sort and separate the bad
seeds. Put in sack and let it drip over night then transfer
to fermentary boxes.
Managing common Pest & Diseases
The most common pest in cacao that has economic signifi- Fermentation
cance is the Cacao Pod Borer (CPB). Pod sleeving has been Fermentation is needed to have chocolate aroma and
found to be the effective control to this pest (MCDC). Other flavor. Store the beans in fermentary boxes for
common pest and diseases include the Vascular Streak Die- 5-7 days. Turn the beans on the 2nd or 3rd day.
back (VSD), Pod Rot, and Stem canker.
Integrated pest and disease management is encouraged: Drying & Storage
Pruning & sanitation, Sleeving, Frequent Harvesting, and Dry cacao beans in elevated solar dryers. Sort beans ac-
Spraying. cording to grades. Store graded beans in jute bags and
maintain 7% moisture in appropriate storage facility prior
HARVESTING to selling..
Harvest pods at right maturity. Mature and ripe - end -
pod are ready for picking once 75% of its color has Photos & Reference: Cacao Check System by N.Richards, R. Itong, &
changed (green pods turns yellow and dark or red JXYLaquihon (eds). ACDI/VOCA CoCoPal Project funded by USDA.
purple pods turns yellow or orange). https://www.facebook.com/agrimindanao
Harvesting should be done carefully to avoid dam- Email: [email protected]
age of the flower cushions and to avoid fungal infections. Phn. 0920 868 8862

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INTRODUCTION WHERE CAN I BUY CACAO? Prepare holes 2 weeks prior to field planting. Plant during
Cacao is commonly raised in the Philippines and is used by Seedlings are the principal investment in cacao farming. the onset of rainy season.
farmers for their consumption as “tableya”. Nowadays, due Invest wisely by buying only grafted cacao clones from BPI Basal fertilization is optional and compost maybe placed in
to the demand of chocolates in other countries, many -Accredited Nurseries. the bottom of the hole to enhance soil nutrients, tilth, aera-
farmers are encouraged to plant again. The projected deficit tion and water holding capacity.
in the country by 2020 is around 1-Million metric tons. HOW DO I SELECT GOOD QUALITY SEEDLINGS? Newly planted cacao seedlings must be shaded to reduce
This reading material serves as a general guide in cacao Select seedlings that are grafted, healthy, not stunted, dehydration and/or scorching. Coconut fronds is readily
farming. free from abnormalities, and free from pest and diseases. available for this.
Used good quality planting material as grafted or budded
IS YOUR AREA GOOD TO PLANT CACAO? rootstock aged 4-6 months from planting. Use of 4 to 5 MANAGING YOUR CACAO TREES
Cacao is best planted in areas that are semi-shaded like mos. old clones with 6 mature leaves, with no new flush Pruning
coconut plantation. It may be planted in slope or flat land of leaves, with bigger and mature stem, with no signs of There are 4 types of pruning for mature and pod bearing
areas as long as it is not water lagged or flooded. Experts trees. These are: Height control, Skirting, Sanitation and
pest infestation and disease infection. Acclimatize the
Internal Pruning
recommend to plant it in areas at an elevation from 20-800 seedlings at least a week before planting. For immature cacao trees, shaping is done. Thinning of sub
meters above sea level. -terminal shoots and branches. Pruning back interlocking,
I HAVE OLD CACAO TREES, SHOULD I CUT THEM? deformed and pest-infected branches. Skirting of low and
FARM PLANNING & FARMERS DECISION MAKING No. Do not cut them. Old cacao and unproductive trees drooping branches must be done to open the underside of
Prior to planting of cacao, the farmer should know what his can be rehabilitated. Old and unproductive trees should
the tree for ventilation, easier access and better pod devel-
be rehabilitated to improve its productivity. Tree re-
current resources are so that he can plan out and decide opment.
shaping and pruning, removal of black pods and CPB in-
what to plant and how he would be able to achieve his fested pods at regular interval, application of nutrients - Below is an illustration of un-pruned, properly pruned, and
goal—higher productivity and income. Farming should organic and mineral and side grafting using approved over-pruned cacao trees.
always be considered as a business. clone stock should be done.

WHAT KIND OF CACAO SHOULD I PLANT? LAND PREPARATION, HOLING, & PLANTING
There three varieties of cacao: Forastero, Trinitario, and Planting area for cacao should be well drained, deep, with
Croillo (finest). Based on market high water holding capacity, free from salt water intrusion
demand, it is recommended to plant and free from termites. Excessive vegetation must be
the BPI-NSIC registered clones such cleared. In open areas, temporary and permanent shade
as: UF18, PBC 123, BR25, K9, K1, K2,
(50% to 75%) must be provided to the newly planted
ICS40, UIT 1, and P7. Other clones
subject to NSIC approval which clone.
shows good productivity include: The suggested distance between cocoa plants is
W10, PG610 and EM617. 2.5mX2.5m or 3mX3m. Recommended hole size for
planting is 0.4mX0.4mX0.4m.
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