DAVAO CITY—Farmers in Davao de Oro were given the equipment to produce chocolate, the Department of Science and Technology Region 11 said.
The Camarin Manlobong Taytayan Onion Farmers Association (Camatofa) grow both onions and cacao in Barangay Andap, New Bataan, but the new equipment would help them explore a new and profitable venture in making chocolates.
The Provincial Science and Technology Office said the association received various chocolate-processing equipment such as conching machine, grinder, mixer, digital weighing scale, stainless table, chiller and upright freezer.
These were turned over to the organization after the initial deployment of post-harvest processing equipment and supplies for upcycling cacao fruits in 2015.
The DOST said the assistance would aid farmers from Davao de Oro with their livelihood.
The beneficiaries have ventured into cacao and processing after their farms was flattened by typhoon “Pablo” in 2012.
The farmers also received safety and operation training to help them use the provided equipment effectively and efficiently, the DOST said.
The regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development also witnessed the turnover as it expressed commitment to support the organization through marketing and promotion of their products.
Camatofa President Mrs. Gloria Camporedondo, thanked DOST 11 for its support to the community farmers to help them economically recover.
Meanwhile, students and teachers from off-grid Manurigao Integrated School in New Bataan would now be able to access digitized Science and Technology (S&T) resources with the installation of solar-powered S&T Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Stations (Starbooks).
Starbooks is the first Philippine S&T digital library designed to be user-friendly and stand-alone information kiosk that contains thousands of digitized S&T resources in various formats, the DOST said.
Users can access information such as investigatory projects, K to12 learning materials, DOST technologies and other publications.
“With no conventional source of electric supply and Internet connection, the Starbooks powered by Solar Photovoltaic System will benefit a total of 156 students and seven teachers of the school,” the DOST said.
DOST 11 hoped to enhance the quality of educational experience for both teachers and students and to create interest in the field of S&T among Filipino students.
The assistance was provided through the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology program of DOST spearheaded by the Provincial Science and Technology Office of Davao de Oro and in partnership with Davao de Oro State College Extension Services Division, it added.