A partnership between the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Nestle Philippines Inc. is set to implement the Mindanao Robusta Coffee Project (MRCP) aimed at increasing coffee production by improving farmers access to farm inputs, training and market opportunities.
The aforesaid partnership is bound by a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will enhance MRCP Mindanao farmers with their practice of monocropping and intercropping in coconut areas and other diversified farming systems suitable for coffee, especially for the so-called Robusta coffee (Copea robusta). Farmers are urged to produce 1,000 kilograms per hectare (kg/ha) yield 2027; Mindanao produces 80 percent of the country’s coffee produce of which 60 percent of all variants are C. robusta). This could be used for a wide variety of blends suited for the production of soluble coffee.
The MOU mentions 5 main components that impact every step of the coffee value chain, thus-
– Research
– Fertilizer support
– Upskilling of farmers
– Establishment of coffee centers
– Logistics and Marketing
Also, the MOU mandates the DA, representing the government/public sector, to provide inputs, facilities, capacity building activities, and marketing support, among others. On the part of Nestle representing the private sector, it will provide intensive technical assistance, collaborate with the concerned institution, help ensure the farmers compliance with applicable quality standards, and serve as a ready market of the coffee produced for local farmers.
MY COMMENT:
A typical public-private partnership (PPP), by improving coffee plant technology and raising its production, the Philippines will benefit in terms financial/economic benefits through exportation (reduce importation of coffee) while alleviating the lives of the marginalized farmer sector.
In Region 8, Leyte island is known for its soil suited for coffee plants. The town of Javier Local government Unit (LGU) officials have intensified farming through plantation of coconut, coffee, jackfruit, white and pink (turmeric) ginger, among others that has now provided livelihood to the Javierensis. Also, the nearby town of Burauen has thriving backyard and small-scale coffee plantations.
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