Bright prospect for Nueva Vizcaya coffee industry

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya: A bright prospect is well in the offing for the Philippine coffee industry following strategic training involving farmer producer organizations, processors, traders, coffee shop owners and the academe.

Stakeholders were joined by nongovernment agencies, different organizations and local government units in the training initiated by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Nueva Vizcaya province.

DTI Nueva Vizcaya Officer in Charge Director Rowena Mayangat revealed that the training titled “Brewing Success through Harmony” is aimed at strengthening the promotion of the coffee industry of the province through the creation of different programs, activities and projects by all the sectors and stakeholders involved.

Mayangat said Nueva Vizcaya, with its fertile lands and conducive climate, has the potential “to become a powerhouse in the coffee industry.”

“With this, we are collaborating with the provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya in boosting the growing coffee industry in the province,” she added.

Mayangat also noted that through planning activities, the unique characteristics, challenges and resources present in the province were considered in drafting tailored strategies that foster sustainable growth, innovation and the long-term prosperity of the coffee industry.

“I am confident that through our collaborative effort and innovative thinking, we will unfold various plans or a roadmap that positions Nueva Vizcaya’s coffee industry at the top not only in the Philippine map but also globally,” Mayangat said.

Meanwhile, Provincial Board Member Roland Carub, chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Industry, will work on the passage of an ordinance that will formally create a technical working group (TWG) for the industry, as well as strengthen the coffee players and the provision of funds.

“The TWG will then take the lead in drafting and implementing the fiveyear strategic roadmap of the province’s coffee industry,” Carub added.

During a workshop, Mayangat said coffee stakeholders and participants identified issues that hamper the growth and development of the industry, as well as the strategic actions to address them, enabling coffee players such as farmers, entrepreneurs, farmer-scientists, and processors to create municipal councils and market linkage initiatives, among others.