The Mindanao State University at Naawan envisions to be a forward-thinking university fostering innovation in research and education in aquatic and allied sciences. By implementing its mission to provide a culturally-sensitive, digitally-driven, and globally-engaged academic community committed to transformative research, education, innovation, and entrepreneurship programs for sustainable development.

The Cacao Hub: A Research and Innovation for Sustainability Center or CHRIS Center, is a Center that caters to research and innovation in agriculture and related programs. The center stems from the needs of the community that the Mindanao State University at Naawan serves. The community, being one of the most important stakeholders of the university, identifies a need for a research and innovation center in cacao and other agricultural products that would help in enhancing productivity and increasing profitability. Thus, this center was conceptualized.

The Center commits to providing quality services to its major stakeholders, continuing the vision and mission of the Mindanao State University at Naawan.   As a center focused on agriculture and related programs in the University, it brings about a pool of expert faculty and staff working together to create and sustain a good working environment for research, innovation, sustainability, and community development. And a collaboration of various projects that deal with the management and sustainability of the terrestrial ecosystem.

1.1 Vision

A premier hub for sustainable cacao research and innovation, and processing for sustainability through accessible shared technologies and expertise, thereby enhancing product quality, increasing market competitiveness, and farmer profitability in the cacao value chain.

1.2 Mission

To provide accessible, state-of-the-art cacao research and innovation, and processing equipment and technical support for sustainability to micro, small, and medium cacao enterprises and farmer cooperatives, enabling them to improve product quality, increase market competitiveness, and improve income in local and global markets.

1.3 Objectives

• To provide micro, small, and medium cacao enterprises and farmer cooperatives with access to modern post-harvest and processing equipment, enabling them to improve the quality of cacao products;
• To increase the market competitiveness and income opportunities of cacao MSMEs by facilitating improved production efficiency, adherence to food safety standards, and value addition, thereby expanding local and international market access; and
• To deliver relevant training to the community in terms of modern agricultural development to enhance productivity and increase profitability.