Environmental and socio-economic assessment of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) industry in Nagcarlan, Laguna [Philippines]
2024
Elleva, L.I.F.
Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) has been one of the sources of income and livelihood to many small hold farmers in Nagcarlan, Laguna [Philippines]. To realize the potential of cacao industries in Nagcarlan and its contribution to the growing demand for beans while considering the environmental performance and profitability at the farm level, this study sought to determine the carbon stock of various cacao farming systems in Nagcarlan and to analyze the value chain of tablea and wine industries. A total of twenty-six farms were visited and sampled, and owners/tenants of these farms were interviewed. Tree measurements were gathered and established allometric equations for cacao, coconut, and banana were utilized to quantify the aboveground biomass and carbon stock of different cacao farming systems viz., cacao + coconut, cacao + banana, cacao + coconut + banana, and monocrop cacao. The analysis of value chain was done using the diagnostic framework for industrial value chains. Descriptive research designs, financial analysis, and correlation analysis were done to describe the value chain, analyze the profitability of market players, and assess the relationship of several independent variables to the yield of cacao, respectively. Result showed that cacao, coconut, and banana had an average carbon stock of 4.6660 Mg C/ha, 115.546 Mg C/ha, and 0.434 Mg C/ha, respectively. Intercropping cacao with coconut can significantly increase the carbon stock by 6-8 times which make it a better intercrop as compared to cacao + banana or cacao only. For the value chain of tablea and wine, the key industry players are input supplier, inbound and outbound logistics providers, producers, processors, traders, and consumers. Results revealed that all market players are operating profitably. However, the processors are financially better off among them due to high percent value addition for tablea (70-95%) and cacao wine (88. 33%) products, hence the higher profit. As such, it is recommended for farmers to engage into processing of tablea and wine for higher income. Further studies are also recommended to explore on the sustainability and intensification of cacao industry in Nagcarlan, Laguna.
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