MANILA, Philippines – Seven tribes from the province of Bukidnon have received a gift that would help them ensure the sustainable production of good quality coffee in their farming communities.
Nescafé, the country’s leading coffee brand, awarded the tribes of Higaonon, Manobo, Matisalug, Talaandig, Tigwahonon, and Umayamnon with free training and assistance and superior coffee planting materials as part of its effort of empowering local coffee farming communities to become self-sufficient.
“We are very happy that the tribes of Bukidnon have given us the chance to fulfill the promise that we have made to them during the Kaamulan Festival,” said Art Baria, head of the agricultural services department of Nestle Philippines, Inc.
Bukidnon tribes own large hectares of land that are very suitable for coffee farming.
“And through this free training and assistance, we hope that we could encourage more of them to take up coffee farming. This would be a big help to the country’s overall coffee production,” Baria said.
A gift of knowledge
The training was held at the Nestle Experimental and Demonstration Farm (NEDF) in Tagum, Davao where farmer-representatives were taught the latest methods with which they could improve their coffee farming techniques.
Representatives from the National Commission for Indigenous People, the Department of Agriculture-Bukidnon, and members of the non-government organization (NGO) Greenminds, Inc. joined them during the three-day training.
On the first day, Nestle agronomists lectured on effective coffee propagation and the proper care and maintenance of coffee nurseries. The participants were then given a tour of the NEDF to see for themselves how these methods are applied after which they were given the chance to apply what they have learned from the day’s lectures.
On the second day, they learned about coffee plantations and their care and maintenance. Farmers were likewise informed of the latest coffee harvesting and processing methods.
The third day saw the participants gaining knowledge about coffee rejuvenation. They were likewise asked to come up with action plans.
A graduation ceremony was then held after the participants completed the training program. Here, they were given not just certificates for their participation, but 140 kgs of coffee seeds and 90,000 polybags as well so they can start applying what they have learned in their own communities.
Improving the quality of lives
“Empowering farmers and local farming communities is part of our bigger goal of helping improve the quality of their lives. By being more knowledgeable about the latest farming techniques and having access to superior coffee planting materials, they likewise increase their productivity and their earnings,” Baria said.
This also means that consumers will be getting a sustainable supply of good quality coffee.
“Quality is something that we always emphasize in our trainings. And by imparting the knowledge on how to achieve this to our farmers, we likewise help improve the overall quality of coffee in the country. Our consumers can be assured that they will only get good quality coffee from Nescafé,” Baria concluded.
For inquiries on coffee technology farming, please contact the Nestle Experimental and Demonstration Farm at (084) 400-1804 or 0920-9546806.