AGRICULTURE Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. urged coffee farmers and Department of Agriculture (DA) officials in Mindanao to be prepared for future calamities, citing the recent impact of Typhoon Kristine in Luzon and Visayas.
Speaking at an event hosted by Nestlé Philippines in collaboration with DA Region 10 for the Mindanao Robusta Coffee Project (MRCP) at the Malaybalay Bukidnon Integrated Coffee Center, Tiu Laurel highlighted the importance of resilience among coffee farmers.
“Galing akong Naga. Umikot kami nang Presidente kung saan-saan. Grabe talaga ang tinamaan buti nalang dito walang ganon,” he said.
The MRCP, launched by Nestlé and DA-10, aims to support local farmers in cultivating and producing robust coffee beans.
The initiative provides training on regenerative agriculture and climate-resilient practices, focusing on the sustainability of coffee trees during extreme weather conditions, explained Nestlé Cagayan de Oro Manager Noel Lonzanida.
The collaboration extends beyond coffee, with efforts to support other key crops like potatoes and corn, which, according to Tiu Laurel, are critical to the region’s agricultural future.
He pointed out the need for ongoing government and private sector partnerships to tackle climate-related challenges in agriculture.
Lonzanida noted that Nestlé aims to increase local coffee bean production, as the Philippines currently imports 90% of its coffee supply.
Sixteen coffee farmer associations in Bukidnon have received organic and soil-conditioning fertilizers from DA and Nestlé, marking a significant step toward building a robust local coffee industry.
The event was held as part of the National Coffee Month celebrations.
