WB-funded projects seen to revitalize Kalinga’s coffee industry

BAGUIO CITY – Two World Bank-funded farm-to-market road projects under the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) are expected to resuscitate the dwindling coffee industry in Kalinga province.

Kalinga received a P130 million grant for the 13-kilometer Banneng- Gombowoy farm- to- market road ( FMR) in Tanudan town.

The 15.8 kilometer Bulanao-Amlao FMR in Tabuk City likewise secured a P180 million funding.

Both projects are aimed at improving road access to Kalinga’s top coffee-producing barangays.

Recent findings of the Kalinga Coffee Council showed how coffee production had dropped due to several factors.

F r om the original 5,550-hectare coffee production area, it is now down to about 3,427 hectares due to massive conversion of coffee lands into corn farms since 2014.

At good market condition, traders in Kalinga buy a kilo of dry coffee beans at P85-95.

The host barangay of these PRDP projects is now being encouraged to revert to coffee production.

Department of Agriculture-CAR director Lorenzo Caranguian said there was strong demand for coffee seedlings from residents in the area.

Kalinga provincial agriculturist Domingo Bakilan said new groups are going into coffee production following the support committed by the government. At least six brewed coffee processors are already there.

Trade and Industry provincial officer Grace Baluyan said products of local coffee processors are gaining prominence in the local and offshore markets.

With the completion of the projects and approval of similar project proposals by the province and LGUs, the coffee industry is seen to become a top source of livelihood in the province anew.