In preparation for the upcoming World Bank Implementation Support Mission, Proponent Groups (PGs) of the Kalinga Integrated Coffee Processing and Marketing Enterprise were re-oriented on their Business Plan on July 5-13, 2016 in their respective cooperative offices.

As partners in the implementation of PRDP sub-projects, the coffee-grower members of the PGs as well as the barangay officials attended and participated in the re-orientation. Topics discussed include the objectives and processes of PRDP, the operations manual of I-REAP (Enterprise Development) Component, the Business Plan of the Kalinga Coffee Enterprise, and the Grievance and Redress Mechanism (GRM) Process.

Among their concerns were the low production of coffee, technical and financial assistance for the maintenance and improvement of their coffee areas and the benefits they will receive from the Enterprise. As such, it was clarified that the maintenance of their coffee farms is part of their equity as proponents of the Coffee Enterprise and funding will not be provided. However, facilities and equipment that will be used directly for the operation of the Enterprise will be distributed.

PRDP will also be funding trainings and other capacity building activities for thecoffee-grower members in support to the Coffee Enterprise.

Further, it was clarified that the dividends and patronage refunds they will be receiving from the Coffee Enterprise depends on the volume of green beans sold to their respective cooperatives.

Apart from the discussion on the Enterprise, the participants cited some of their difficulties in relation to coffee farming and how coffee farming changed through time.

‘Kape ken panag-uma laeng ti pangbiyag idi, ngem idi binmaba ti presyo ti kape ken binmasit ti bunga da, pinukan ti farmers ti kakapean da ket nagmula da ti mais, pagay, ken daduma pay. Natrabaho ti kape ken gapu ta awan mangurnong, nababa ti presyo ket ma dismaya ti farmers nga mang mentenar ti kakapean da’(Coffee and farming were the only primary source of income way back, but when the production and price of coffee declined, farmers shifted to rice and corn production among others. Farmers are discouraged to maintain their coffee areas since it requires a lot of work, and traders dictate the price), shared Federiko Tiggangay, TASALECO BOD member.

In response, Caesar Lagon of Provincial Project Management and Implementing Unit (PPMIU) I-REAPemphasized that coffee farming indeed requiresproper maintenance to ensure the volume and quality of its produce. However, through the operation of the Enterprise, farmers will be able to consolidate and improve the quality of their coffee to haggle for higher market price.

‘Enem nga Kooperatiba ket nagtutulag nga bangunen ken improben iti kape ti Kalinga ket ibilang tayo met kuma daytoy kape kas maysa a negosyo ta ag invest tayo ti oras, ag invest tayo ti kwarta, ket haan tayo met kayat nga malugi (Six Cooperatives envisioned to develop the coffee industry in Kalinga, let us treat coffee as a business for we invest in time, we invest in money, and we do not want it to go to waste),’ urged Lagon.

The Kalinga Integrated Coffee Processing and Marketing Enterprise is a subproject under the I-REAP Component of PRDP which was conceptualized in response to the need for alternative buyers and expanded market that will give higher income to coffee-grower members and increase the value of green beans through market development and quality systems improvement.

The PGs of the Kalinga Coffee Enterprise comprises the following:Dupligan Farmers’ Cooperative (DUFAMPCO) as the Lead PG, Tanudan Savings and Lending Cooperative (TASALECO), Mananig Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MAMPCO), Nambucayan Agricultural Cooperative (NACO), Patiking Agricultural Cooperative (PACO), and GawidanMalin-awaan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (GMMPC). (Elvy Taquio, DA-PRDP RPCO3 InfoACE Unit)