DA-PRDP welcomes DTI as the latest partner in convergence to support the coffee industry in the Province of Davao Oriental.

A total of P1.2 million in support was turned over by DA-PRDP at the Mati Investment Conference 2022 (MatiCon2022) earlier today October 26, 2022, to fund the “Coffee Advancement for Productivity and Industry Development in the Province of Davao Oriental” convergence project under I-PLAN Subcomponent 1.2.

Based on PSA reports, Davao Oriental ranked second in the Davao Region as the highest coffee producing province in terms of volume equivalent to 12.11 % of the total share. The convergence initiative aims to support and create market linkages for the province as well as create the branding of Davao Oriental coffee that would associate it to Mt. Hamiguitan Mountain ranges similar to how Mt. Apo has been associated with Davao del Sur’s coffee.

The said undertaking was an off-shoot of the recently conducted Philippine Coffee Expo where enablers and industry partners were linked with one another.

The technical support that will be funded by DA-PRDP in partnership with DTI aims to harness the potential and collaboration among the coffee farmers, processors, and enablers in Davao Oriental through capacity building activities. This will also generate more convergence support with other enablers for coffee including the provincial local government, state, other government line agencies, Coffee Council and private sectors.

After the ceremonial turn-over, a breakout session followed where PRDP PSO Mindanao I-PLAN Planning Officer Crishyl Bilbao presented the plan for the implementation of the convergence. Participants included representatives from DA-PRDP, DTI, TESDA, DOST, PLGU, ACDI/VOCA-PhilCAFE, coffee shop owners, and farmers.

As a way forward, DA-PRDP will prepare a draft MOA with DTI, TESDA, DOST, DOrSU, Provincial Coffee Council, PLGU, and other enablers to formalize their partnership and collaboration.

The I-PLAN subcomponent 1.2 provides support for trainings, research and coordination for different priority commodities.

The MatiCon 2022 is an event organized by DTI with the City of Mati with a focus on investment priorities of the province such as poultry, fish port, bamboo, agri-business, and tourism highlighted by a series of breakout meetings and business and investment matching for all the participants. (via JOY MONTECALVO |PSO Min)