The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Bukidnon, through the Rural Agro-enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project, successfully conducted a two-batch capacity-building activity on Best Practices in Cacao Harvesting, Post-Harvest Processing, and Fermentation on August 26–27, 2026, across the municipalities of Kibawe and San Fernando, Bukidnon.

The training empowered 60 cacao farmers with technical knowledge and practical skills to reduce post-harvest losses and produce premium-grade cacao beans for greater market competitiveness.

The training sessions highlighted:

Morning Session: Detailed lectures on key maturity indicators for harvesting, hygienic pod breaking, and standardized fermentation parameters (duration, temperature control, and proper drying techniques).

Afternoon Session: Practical farm demonstrations on cushion-safe harvesting techniques, wet bean selection, and actual fermentation box setup for optimal bean quality.

To further support farm operations and crop protection, DTI-RAPID distributed cacao sleeving bags to all 60 participating farmers.

Through continuous technology transfer and capability building, DTI-RAPID Growth remains committed to enhancing agricultural value chains, upgrading bean quality, and boosting the income of local farming communities in Bukidnon.