After years of insurgency and armed combat, the people of Sulu are now shifting their story away from conflict through coffee.

Qahwa Sug or Sulu coffee has a long history rooted in the Province of Sulu. It has been part of the people’s culture, in social gatherings and even religious rituals where they are traditionally partnered with bangbang (snacks) or latal (a platter of native dishes).

The characteristically sweet Sulu coffee is grown locally by farmers in the province and is already becoming popular among coffee afficionados due to its unique flavor.

One cooperative, the Kantitap Consumers Cooperative (KCC) aims to bring Qahwa Sug beyond local markets and into global acclaim.

With this in mind, KCC applied for support from DA-PRDP under the I-REAP or enterprise development component for support to expand their production of premiere fine Sulu Robusta coffee. The “Coffee Processing and Marketing Enterprise” subproject will include facilities and machineries to help increase their coffee output and enlarge their current market.

KCC uses one coffee roasting machine to process all its beans while trying to reach the demand in the market

According to KCC chairperson Abdulmutalib Hadjiron, the cooperative has big plans to help boost the coffee industry in Sulu.

“We have a lot of challenges with our current situation that is why we are seeking help from the government,” said Hadjiron. “We hope that through this project proposal with DA-PRDP, we can obtain a processing building, additional processing machineries and equipment, a delivery vehicle, and additional capital.” He adds that should the project push through, the group can double their production and benefit more coffee farmers in Sulu.

A team from RPCO MAFAR-BARMM recently visited the cooperative to conduct an enterprise assessment, training needs assessments, and orientation on PRDP processes to prepare them for the start of their project.

The team also conducted a public consultation with different coffee stakeholders in the province to discuss possible future projects with DA-PRDP.

KCC placed among the top 5 in beans quality scoring for premium Robusta at the Philippine Coffee Expo last September 14-15 where they competed with other premium coffee producers all over the country.

Aside from enterprise subproject with KCC, the Province of Sulu also has two infrastructure subprojects with DA-PRDP in the Municipality of Lugus in the already completed “Concreting of Barangay Parian Kayawan- Pait-Rugasan-Kutah Parang – Mantan Farm to Market Road” and the on-going “Construction of Parian Kayawan Warehouse with Solar Dryer”.

Years before, the smell of gunpowder permeated the air in Sulu. Today, the province is filled with the sweet aroma of coffee, and with it the promise of peace and progress. (Joy Montecalvo, PSO Min)