Value-adding by Addressing Gender Dynamics in the Cacao Industry.
Researchers and John Dillon Fellows (JDF) from the Philippines cohort work to make cacao products more competitive in domestic and export markets.
Davao City, located in the Philippines South is the source of over 80% of cacao, one of the country’s priority and high-value crops. As part of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research’s (ACIAR) John Dillion Fellowship (JDF), a group of researchers aimed to better understand gender relationships and dynamics influencing the production and marketing of cacao in the region. The group examined the cacao value chain to determine ways in which gender dynamics can enhance market outcomes.
The JDF develops leadership and management skills of mid-career scientists, researchers and economists working in agriculture research for development from ACIAR partner countries.
From 2021-2022, the JDF Philippines fellows took part in a blended learning experience consisting of intensive professional training on leadership and management with project design and implementation put immediately into practice with research projects.
Interventions for Market via a Gender-Lens
The diverse and highly experienced project team includes Dr Aileen Lapitan and Dr Nico Jayson Anastacio, College of Public Affairs and Development, and Associate Professor Dr Canesio Predo from the Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) as well as University Researcher Mitchiko Lopez, from the University of the Philippines Mindanao. Their varied experiences in governance and public affairs, environmental resource management, and economics offer insight into gendered experiences across the industry.
Specifically, the group determined potential market demand for gender-aware certified chocolate products through social labelling and other interventions that add market value for the cacao producers. The first step is understanding the role gender, and specifically women play in cacao production.
‘While the Philippines is doing well in the global gender index, we believe there are underlying gender issues that need to be addressed in the cacao industry. Our project aims to understand the gender relations among all stakeholders in the production and marketing of cacao and to understand the attributes of all women and their role in the industry.’ - Assoc. Professor Dr Canesio Predo.
Professor Rebecca Spence of the University of New England’s International Capacity Building group, commended the research group and the impact that analysing gender dimensions across agrifood value chains can have. ‘As a direct result of the analysis, cacao farmers and chocolate producers in and around Davao City are already discussing innovations to showcase the essential work women do in the production of the high-quality products at the market level.’
Dr Aileen Lapitan shared further motivation and context for the team’s gender-sensitive analysis, ‘The gender lens informs the search for innovative solutions that promote ownership, social accountability, and sustainability. Gender blind, unresponsive interventions prolong or even exacerbate existing inequalities hindering abilities to contribute to prosperity and economic growth.’
This is a cause close to the heart of JDF fellow and project researcher, Mitchiko Lopez from the University of the Philippines Mindanao, whose family produced cacao. ‘The JDF and ACIAR have enabled us to create impact at a community level. Throughout this research we have been able to see the appreciation of the people we’ve worked with on the ground and their willingness to implement a new way of thinking and leveraging gender. I’m personally very grateful for everything ACIAR has provided through the JDF program.’
Research at the ground-level of production.
The research project aligns directly with ACIAR priorities of support to the Philippines. Specifically, focusing on research that makes agricultural products more productive, marketable, and internationally competitive. The John Dillon Fellowship enables researchers from partner countries to work within these priorities from the ground-level of production, as is the case with this cacao project.
‘The co-design approach creates opportunities for the integration of both the challenges and aspirations of the local stakeholders in designing the package of interventions. Since it is based on the actual needs of the local people, these interventions have higher potential for sustainability and effectiveness’ - Dr. Nico Jayson Anastacio
Adding to the need for cooperation, Project researcher Ms. Mia Barbara Aranas from the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), added, ‘Strong partnership is a critical component to the success of this project. The team made sure to adopt a personalised approach in dealing with the community of cacao farmers and industry champions from the local government, producer groups, and the processing sector. Not only the gender dynamics were assessed but also the aspirations and beliefs that the cacao community of farmers hold as important. This allowed the project team to appreciate what the partners value, and create a foundation of trust and understanding throughout the project implementation.’
As improving gender equity is a priority for ACIAR, Mara Faylon, ACIAR Assistant Country Manager for the Philippines, was eager to contribute to this research. Mara shared her experience working on this project.
'The John Dillon Fellowship has given me a deeper appreciation with regard to the range of work that our ACIAR partners do when it comes to undertaking projects like these. Not just the research but also the different elements of project management. Being part of the John Dillon Fellowship, I’ve been able to see for myself how ACIAR is contributing and helping to build the next generation of thought leaders in the agri-sector here in the Philippines.’
