Coffee products from the Hojap Multi-Purpose Cooperative (HMPC) in Ifugao are set to gain more market exposure in different parts of the country through the Department of Agriculture- Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) e-Merkado, an online marketing platform.

The e-Merkado “Tulay sa Pagasenso, Katuwang sa Pagbabago,” is a market linkage project of the DA-PRDP Project Support Office (PSO) North Luzon, which was launched last October 28, 2021. The HMPC’s Kesi’melan coffee was featured during this event. Aside from the HMPC, three (3) other Proponent Groups (PGs) and their products were also highlighted.

In line with the DA-PRDP’s goal of increasing farmers’ income while strengthening and developing viable agri-fishery based enterprises, the e-Merkado aims to connect enterprise PGs to a potentially larger market, through the use of online streaming and online marketing.

During the launch, HMPC presented their products to the public, while providing opportunities to pitch their products, and how and where to order.

HMPC Manager Shirley U. Tagtag said the e-Merkado is a good exposure activity not only for Ifugao coffee, but for their cooperative as a whole and for all the PGs involved.

“We are grateful for the opportunity of showcasing not only our coffee but the HMPC cooperative as a whole. Through this market linkage activity, we hope it will reach other possible buyers across the different regions/provinces of the country,” Tagtag said.

Among the coffee products of the HMPC are roasted and ground arabica and robusta coffee blend; pure arabica green beans (sorted/unsorted) and roasted beans; and pure robusta green beans (sorted/unsorted) and roasted beans. These are packed in 100 grams (g), 200g, 400g, 500g, and 1 kilogram (kg).

With the launching of the e-Merkado, PSO North Luzon I-REAP component head Andy Clavel said the PGs are now being engaged in the different activities of the DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) such as market forum activities, Kadiwa, and the Agribusiness Support for Promotion and Investments in Regional Exposition (ASPIRE) among others.

“We are also planning for a market linkage activity between PRDP PGs and potential marketing partners like Deliver-E, Mayani, and Freshbuys,” Clavel added.

Prior to the e-Merkado launching, a virtual orientation on potential marketing partners in Luzon was held in October 18, 2021. Participants included representatives from the municipal/provincial Project Management and Implementing Units (P/MPMIUs) in the North Luzon cluster.

A similar activity is also scheduled to be conducted with the PGs as main participants
With the increasing number of completed and operational enterprise subprojects supported through the I-REAP component of the DA-PRDP, marketing innovations such as the e-Merkado will serve as the farmers’ platform for securing potential investments through product promotion and virtual exposition.

“Successful market linkage would lead to increase in market network and sales which can lead to increase in income of farmers/enterprise and enterprise sustainability,” Clavel concluded.

Interested parties looking to link with HMPC or interested buyers may fill up the form provided by the PSO North Luzon Cluster at https://bit.ly/eMerkadoMarketMatchForm. You may also reach HMPC through their facebook account HOJAP Kesi’melan Coffee (https://www.facebook.com/HojapCoffee).

Elvy T. Estacio (RPCO-CAR InfoACE Unit)