16/02/2026
โWith optimism, even setbacks become opportunities for growth.โ
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๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ค๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก๐ฌ: ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐
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The journey of the Nasipit Cacao Farmers Ventures Association (NACAFAVA) began in 2016, when a group of cacao farmers in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte came together with a shared goalโto improve their livelihoods through collective effort. Organized through the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO), the association was formed after its members received cacao seedlings from the Department of Agriculture (DA) under the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) Program. Alongside these seedlings came vital training on Cacao Cultural Management, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and exposure visits to successful cacao farms and tableya processing centers, laying a strong foundation for their journey.
In its early years, NACAFAVA focused primarily on cacao production. However, as harvests increased, the association encountered a critical challenge: the lack of stable and reliable buyers for their cacao beans. This reality pushed the group to rethink their direction. Rather than remaining solely producers of raw cacao, the members recognized the need to move up the value chain by engaging in processing and enterprise development.
This turning point came in 2021, when NACAFAVA submitted a project proposal to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) under the Shared Service Facility (SSF) Livelihood Program. Through this initiative, the association acquired essential food-grade processing equipment, including a cacao roaster, fermentation boxes, solar tunnel dryer, cacao sheller with sifter, cacao grinder, and vacuum sealer. With these tools, NACAFAVA officially launched its tableya production under the local brand โMang Tableya,โ initially operating from a vacant parking area generously provided by one of its members.
Recognizing the associationโs potential to become a sustainable community enterprise, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Nasipit extended crucial support in September 2021. Through the leadership of then Mayor Enrico Corvera, NACAFAVA was granted land and a dedicated processing building located in District 1, Balaon, Kinabjangan, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte. This milestone gave the association a permanent and accessible production facility, significantly strengthening its operational stability and long-term growth prospects.
As the enterprise continued to expand, NACAFAVA benefited from further government assistance. A โฑ1 million livelihood project from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) enabled facility improvements and equipment upgrades. At the same time, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provided regulatory guidance, allowing the association to secure its License to Operate and product registrationsโensuring compliance with food safety and quality standards. Through the DTIโRAPID Program, officers and members were also trained in cacao production, fermentation, drying, bean grading, chocolate-making, post-harvest management, and organizational development, strengthening both their technical expertise and enterprise management capabilities.
Today, NACAFAVA stands as a SEC-registered and CSO-recognized community-based MSME, steadily expanding its market reach, improving product quality, and preparing for Halal Certification. From a small group of cacao farmers to a growing value-adding enterprise, the association has become a living example of how unity, innovation, and strong partnerships can transform local initiatives into sustainable drivers of livelihood and community development.
NACAFAVAโs journey is a story of perseverance, partnership, and purposeโwhere farmers evolved into entrepreneurs and a community built its future through shared vision and collective effort. As expressed by the associationโs President:
โWith optimism, even setbacks become opportunities for growth.โ
This belief continues to guide NACAFAVA as it builds a future rooted in resilience, sustainability, and inclusive growth for its farmers and the wider community.
