Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

"Leave Us Alone"

"Leave us alone". This is a statement a mature girl read who claimed the statement is the official response of Akelco to the negative remarks from its several clients. The statement was read and broadcast live in a radio program: "Ilitsahan" of Kaibahang Butz Maquinto.

But immediately after she finished reading the statement which she alleged to be the statement of Akelco, Mr. Jose Carl Quimpo, member and former president of Akelco Board of Directors disowned the statement. What a disgrace!

If she is a member of the Public Relations Agency Akelco commissioned to create favorable image among its clients, the member – consumers, that matured girl did not deserve the fee. Moreover, it was so shameful.

Akelco District Election

Akelco management announced, "Akelco all set for December 2009 District Election", for three members of the Board of Directors. Makato & Tangalan election is set on December 5; Altavas & Balete on December 12; and Banga, Libacao & Madalag on December 19.

Akelco concerned personnel are now Posting Notice for District Election and Master List in the different barangays of the municipalities covered.

The incumbent members of the three districts scheduled for election are Mr. Ermito Tabigue for Makato & Tangalan, Mr. Jose Carl Quimpo of Altavas and Balete; and Mr. Roy Gomez of Banga, Libacao, & Madalag.

The Akelco news release appears that previous members of the Board of Directors of Akelco have been disappointing the consumer – members who elected them to represent their interest in the Akelco Board.

The news release stated, "one thing is certain, the District Election will put into office a representative who will stand for the member consumers in Akelco’s pursuit for excellence in the field of rural electrification". We hope it done.

Producing Chocolate

On Tuesday, November 10, the provincial government of Aklan sponsored a one day seminar on climate change with particular emphasis on rivers development and the solution to poverty among landless people. Governor Carlito S. Marquez was represented by Provincial Administrator Diego M. Luces who read the message of the governor. Former Cong. Allen S. Quimpo who is now the Executive Director of the Aklan Rivers System Council delivered the keynote speech.

Among others, Quimpo talked on the provision of providing solution to poverty prevailing among the landless people. He also spoke on the recovery of the damaged forest both in the hills, mountains, and coastal areas. But one topic which attracted my attention and other participants is the planting, production, processing, and marketing of Cacao. This was presented by Atty. Celestino E. Damian, president of Pasig Agricultural Development & Industrial Supply Corporation (PADISCOR).

According to Damian, today the Philippines’ actual annual cacao requirement is 28,000 metric tons. Of this quantity, only 6,000 metric tons are being produced locally, the balance of 22,000 metric tons are imported from abroad. This importation in cacao alone is valued in billion pesos yearly. These 28,000 metric tons is exclusive of processed products like chocolate.

Damian strongly recommends the growing of cacao in the Philippines to produce the local requirement and save the foreign exchange being spent for importation. Moreover, cacao is highly suited to Philippine soils and climatic conditions. "Aklan is best suited for cacao based on my research", Damian stressed.

"If Aklan people are determined to go and produce cacao, there is ready market at highly fair and reasonable price for the producers", he assured. Asked who will buy, Damian assured a producer will earn P90,000 gross income yearly from one hectare planted with 600 trees cacao.

He assured, "at a minimum of 500 hectares planted to cacao, we will put up a processing and market center for your production."

Damian suggested planting grafted cacao at 600 trees per hectare. The trees will bear fruits 18 months after planting. These 600 trees will produce 4.2 metric tons of cacao seeds annually at seven kilos per tree. The buying price today is P20 per kilo fresh seeds.

The producer will only harvest the pods, remove the peeling and bring it to the buying center where it will be fermented for five days, and sun dried in the plastic house. Fermentation is done to produce chocolate flavor of cacao. Damian suggested the planting of grafted plants to produce true to type products.

Once the cacao plantation is established, the farmers will continuously harvest pods for the next 30 to 40 years. The farmers must of course take care of the trees. He must prevent the attack of pest and disease, cultivate and remove the weeds, remove the unnecessary branches by pruning. He must of course apply fertilizer either compost or chemical.

He recommends plant-ing of cacao with coconuts, and abaca as shade trees. /MP