DISAPPOINTMENT filled the heart of Lahaling, 60, five years ago. But he still found it hard to forget. Eloquently, the cacao farmer recounted his frustration to Tempo-experience that led him to a "break" with cacao. One day, the expanse of cacao trees in his estates-covering 50 areas-was infested with cacao fruit borers (PBK). The trees packed with ripe yellowish fruits turned out to promise no bumper harvest.

Nothing was odd at a glance. But when t