Default Thumbnail

DA, Nestlé join hands to boost PH coffee industry

October 15, 2022 Cory Martinez 409 views

THE production of local coffee will soon be boosted with the continued collaboration of the Department of Agriculture (DA) with private sectors.

The DA and Nestlé Philippines recently discussed collaborations that intend to uplift the Philippine coffee industry, starting with the full support of the latter in implementing the coffee industry roadmap for 2021-2025.

The partnership also aims to enable the country to surpass the 15% sufficiency level.

According to Nestlé, realizing the programs and initiatives highlighted in the roadmap will play a crucial role in attaining an advanced and progressive sector.

The 5-year plan provides a clear direction to enhance farmers’ technical capability and skills, toward increased yields and better incomes.

Under the strategy, the government will increase the local supply from farmers to boost production for use in manufacturing and “Out-of-Home” consumption.

It will also establish a database containing vital information such as production volume and current buying price that stakeholders may access.

As joint actions between the government and the private sector firm up, a one thousand kilogram per hectare coffee yield is forecasted, especially with the interventions provided by DA and Nestlé, such as training and distribution of quality planting materials.

During the meeting, Nestlé urged the DA to include sustainability in coffee production while working closely with farmers to ensure high-quality coffee beans.

Nestle added that greater public investment is also crucial to revive and sustain the sector that has declined by 3.5% every year for the past ten years.

The DA is looking at Mindanao, specifically SOCCSKSARGEN, where 70% of national production is sourced to be developed as the country’s coffee capital.

Last year alone, Bukidnon and Sultan Kudarat coffee growers increased their yield and income by threefold. The growth comes after Nestlé and GIZ’s Project Coffee+ interventions and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) applied by coffee farmers in their coffee farms.

To maintain this development, the coffee company proposes establishing a coffee center in Sultan Kudarat and conducting research on balanced fertilization.

AUTHOR PROFILE