‘Agri-negosyo’ urges OFWS to invest in coffee sector
WASHINGTON, D.C.— On April 8, the Philippine Embassy in the United States hosted the first agriculture-business webinar for overseas Filipino workers (OFWS), which highlighted investment opportunities in the country’s coffee sector.
A presentation by TJ Ryan, chief of party of the Philippine Coffee Advancement and Farm Enterprise Project, entitled “Agri-negosyo for Overseas Filipinos (USA): Insights from the PHILCAFE Project,” was the focal point of the online meeting.
Agriculture Undersecretary for High Value Crops and Rural Credit Evelyn Laviña and the Department of Trade and Industry’s Regional Director for the Cordillera Administrative Region Myrna Pablo shared their agencies’ respective programs supporting OFWS who may want to go into the business of producing and distributing Philippine coffee. Pacita Juan, president and co-chair of the Philippine Coffee Board Inc., rounded up the panel discussion as she shared perspective from the private sector.
“It is such a testament to the strong resolve of President Duterte’s administration to help our repatriated OFWS and their families begin to make a brandnew start by putting together responsive and sustainable social protection packages with programs supporting food production and agribusiness, as this field has been a bright spot for investments,” said Ambassador of the Philippines to the US Jose Manuel G. Romualdez, as he opened the virtual event. “The…program offers strengthened and more efficient delivery of agribusiness-related [initiatives] and services from the concerned agencies to address the urgent need to provide livelihood for repatriated [Filipino laborers].”
The Philippines is currently the fourth-largest coffee consumer in the world, but it imports 93 percent of its coffee requirement. The country grows all four coffee species: Arabica, Robusta, Excelsa, and Liberica—with “kapeng barako” as the latter’s one specific variety.
Focusing on the insights gained from the PHILCAFE Project, Ryan explained, “The opportunity in the Philippines is tremendous. It’s spectacular. Ninety-three percent of the coffee is imported, and the growth of brewed coffee is likely to grow in a robust way. Buyers are, of course, looking for producers who can deliver quality on a consistent basis. It’s a question of getting quality planting material, learning, good agricultural practices and good processing practices.”
PHILCAFE is an investment in the coffee sector that leverages private and public capital to put the National Coffee Roadmap into action. The project empowers legacy institutions such as the Philippines Coffee Council, state universities and colleges, private universities, and industry actors to support the sustained development of the coffee sector.
“Coffee is a high-value crop. It cannot be denied, however, despite being...a value crop and a priority commodity, the full potential and growth of the industry are yet to be realized,” Laviña stated during her presentation of the current government-support programs for potential investors in coffee farms and related industries. “[Within a] limited budget, the Department of Agriculture has been implementing programs toward the development of the Philippine coffee industry.”
Meanwhile, Pablo referred to her agency’s Industry Cluster Enhancement Program, which is a national strategy to enhance industry competitiveness to develop and expand exports, generate investments, and create jobs: She said, “Trainings and other technical assistance are given to coffee micro, small and medium enterprises like good manufacturing practices, roasting, green grading, cupping, product development, training [sessions] on e-commerce, and marketing activities like participation to trade fair exhibits.”
For her part, Juan explained that their organization “has always promoted niche markets. This is our marketing strategy, if you will. Since we don’t have a lot of coffee to export, we have to find certain niches in the markets for coffee.”
She also highlighted opportunities for overseas Filipinos such as in planting coffee, providing the coffee farm experience, importing green coffee from the Philippines, or investing in the roasted coffee business.
“I know some of you are not ready to come home. You can help us promote... by bringing Philippine coffee to America—albeit in green form—so that you can roast it freshly… and put up a neighborhood café,” Juan told the audience. “I think there is a future to come home to.”
The event was moderated by Philippine Agricultural Attaché to the US and the Americas Dr. Josyline Javelosa, while Philippine Labor Attaché Angela Libradotrinidad gave the closing remarks.
The webinar was jointly organized by the Philippine Embassy in the US through the Office of the Agriculture Attaché, Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Washington, D.C. and the Public Diplomacy Section, with support from the Philippine Trade and Investment Centers and Philippine Consulates
General in the US. Those interested in the program may visit http:// innovate.dti.gov.ph/programs/agrinegosyo-para-sa-ofws/.