Coffee stakeholders from various agencies gathered in Sultan Kudarat for the 1st Regional Convergence Meeting 2024, renewing their collective commitment to advancing the coffee industry in the province.

The convergence initiative, which is rooted in the Provincial Commodity Investment Plan (PCIP) of Sultan Kudarat, was formally established in 2021 through a Memorandum of Agreement facilitated by the PRDP and the provincial local government. Prior to this, the province had already laid a strong foundation to support the coffee industry under the leadership of the local government.

Sultan Kudarat Provincial Governor Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu, a staunch advocate for the province’s coffee sector, highlighted the industry’s significant potential in both local and international markets. In his message, Governor Mangudadatu emphasized the transformative impact that convergence has had on the region’s coffee industry.

“I am proud to say that our collaborative efforts have been immensely productive, bringing tangible benefits to our coffee industry,” Governor Mangudadatu said. “Recently, Sultan Kudarat was once again recognized for producing some of the best coffee in the country. Our international presence is also growing—we recently showcased our products in China, where they were met with great enthusiasm. This October, we’ve been invited to Colombia to learn some of their best practices, and in January next year, Vietnam has extended a similar invitation. These opportunities reflect the growing global recognition of our local coffee industry.”

NPCO IPLAN Component Head, Undersecretary Agnes Catherine T. Miranda, underscored the vital role of the DA-PRDP in bolstering the coffee sector through various interventions, including infrastructure projects under the I-BUILD, enterprise support through I-REAP, and training and research initiatives led by I-PLAN’s subcomponent 1.2.

“The PRDP has committed a total of Php 588 million to I-BUILD and I-REAP subprojects, including 14 I-BUILD and three I-REAP initiatives focused on coffee in Sultan Kudarat,” said Undersecretary Miranda. “The I-PLAN Component, in collaboration with Nestlé Philippines and Sultan Kudarat State University, has been instrumental in providing training for coffee farmers and developing a comprehensive region-wide coffee profile.”

Sultan Kudarat’s success in fostering collaboration has not gone unnoticed; the province has twice been recognized by DA-PRDP as having the “Best Convergence” in Mindanao, a testament to its effective partnerships with other agencies and stakeholders.

During the meeting, Regional Coffee Council Chairman Ronan Eugene C. Garcia provided insights into the event’s objectives and addressed the challenges currently facing the coffee industry. The High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) of DA-12 reaffirmed its commitment to addressing gaps in the coffee value chain. HVCDP XII Focal Person outlined strategies for boosting coffee production and enhancing quality, along with plans for upcoming events, such as the Regional Coffee Quality Competition 2024, the Philippine Coffee Quality Competition 2024, and the Coffee Congress 2024.

Aside from different line agencies, present also during the convergence were representatives from coffee players of neighboring provinces such as Sarangani, North Cotabato, and South Cotabato.

Governor Mangudadatu concluded the event by highlighting the unique strength of Sultan Kudarat’s convergence approach.

“Our commitment to convergence sets us apart from other provinces. By bringing together various agencies, we can collectively contribute to the region’s industrial campaign. It is crucial that we align our programs and study the economy carefully, given our limited resources. However, we must not allow scarcity to hinder us from achieving our goals,” Governor Mangudadatu said. ( Joy M. Montecalvo, PSO Mindanao)