by Joan Dapidap, DA-PRDP RPCO1 Writer

The Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), through its Scale-Up phase, aims to boost the Ilocos coffee industry.

During a business conference held on May 31 in Candon City, around 90 stakeholders, including farmers’ cooperatives and associations, private entities, local government units and other government agencies, were convened.

The current coffee industry in the Ilocos region ranks among the bottom five in terms of production in the country.

A value chain analysis conducted by PRDP in 2017 showed that Region 1’s coffee production was at a backyard scale, on lands owned by coffee growers.

“We are planning to update the value chain analysis of coffee, as many constraints have evolved with the present situation,” said Doris Joy Garcia, PRDP RPCO1 I-PLAN component head.

But despite the region’s status in terms of production, the Ilocos coffee farmers have been receiving awards for three consecutive years in the annual Philippine Best Coffee Competition.

In 2023, farmers from the municipalities of Sigay and Gregorio del Pilar in Ilocos Sur claimed the top ten spots out of 12 in the competition.

The PRDP along with the convened stakeholders therefore intends to put Ilocos region on the Philippine map of quality coffee, bringing it to par with high-producing areas like Mindanao.

To achieve this goal, several gaps, issues, and needs were identified. Some participants emphasized the necessity of planting new quality coffee trees, as the existing ones are already old. Other insights shared include providing access roads, irrigation, training, and coffee processing facilities.

As coffee becomes a staple commodity not only in the local market, but also in global markets, PRDP sees opportunities for development and investment in the Ilocos Region. ###