A cacao farm in Sagbayan, Bohol said on World Chocolate Day that it aims to support the planting of 1 million cacao trees in the province over the next decade, as part of an aggressive push to develop local chocolate production, agri-tourism and farmer livelihoods.

Rosario Amores-Hudson, founder of Bohol Chocolate Farm, said the plan would position cacao as a driver of livelihood, health awareness, tourism and provincial identity in Bohol, home to the well-known Chocolate Hills rock formations.

The farm, accredited by the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry as Bohol’s first cacao nursery, said the tree-planting target could generate about 800 metric tons of fermented dry cacao beans a year at full capacity once mature, enough to produce roughly 600 metric tons of pure chocolate sourced from Bohol-grown cacao.

Industry sources cited by the farm said Bohol currently imports about 100 metric tons of cacao beans annually to meet local processing and market demand.

Increasing in-province production would reduce that reliance while creating more income opportunities for farmers, the farm said.

Amores-Hudson said the goal was to make high-quality chocolate more affordable and accessible to Filipinos rather than treat it as a luxury good, and that the initiative would depend on cooperation among farmers, cooperatives, landowners, local governments and civic groups.

As part of the effort, the farm said it would offer discounted cacao seedlings, technical assistance and farm management guidance to partner growers, and pledged to purchase beans from partner farms to give growers a reliable buyer for their harvest.

SUPPORT

Catigbian Mayor Benjie Oliva said he would promote the planting of 200 hectares of cacao in his municipality using idle and public land.

Sagbayan Mayor Asuncion “Shiony” Ybañez also voiced support for the program, reflecting Sagbayan’s role as host to Bohol Chocolate Farm.

Officials said the cacao expansion has solid backing from the local governments of Sagbayan, Carmen and Catigbian, along with the provincial government of Bohol.

JCI Chocolate Hills Jaycees launched its Seed to Bean Project during the event, in partnership with Bohol Chocolate Farm and the Carmen local government.

Under the project, 1,000 cacao seedlings will be donated to the Nueva Vida Sur Women’s Association, led by its president, Rowena Sandimas, to support community-based cacao farming and women’s livelihood programs.

Sophia Antoinne Lafuente Gantalao chairs the project, with Ashley Jade Cooney serving as co-chair.

Representatives of the Philippine National Police’s Regional Mobile Force Battalion 7, led by officer-in-charge PLTCOL Leandro Sanchez Gutierrez, also visited the farm to discuss a proposed “Cacao for Peace” project, which would use cacao farming to support peacebuilding, community reintegration and police-community relations in the province.

Outreach to children

As part of World Chocolate Day activities, the farm and JCI Chocolate Hills Jaycees held a chocolate awareness session for 30 children from Barangay Canmano, including a cacao-themed coloring activity and an introduction to chocolate production.

Amores-Hudson said the outreach was intended to teach children about agriculture and encourage healthy choices and environmental awareness from an early age.

Attendees at the event included Sagbayan Mayor Ybañez, Catigbian Mayor Oliva, JCI Chocolate Hills President Jhea Mae Cañete, Arlene Cabusao, representing Carmen Mayor Che Toribio, Ronie Gonzales of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Mary Grace Bernaldez of Marcela Farms, and Rogelio Bohol Jr., HR and admin manager of The Right Fit Print Shop.

The event was hosted by Bohol Chocolate Farm General Manager Kurt Amores.