Through their Convergence Initiative under the Subcomponent 1.2, PRDP Mindanao’s I-PLAN Component has provided increased market linkages for coffee stakeholders in Mindanao.

The convergence for coffee brings together farmers, entrepreneurs, institutional buyers, local government units, the academe, private corporations, and other government line agencies.

PRDP Mindanao partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry to provide funding support for coffee advancement and for productivity and industry development in Davao Oriental and other coffee-producing provinces.

PRDP Mindanao also partnered with ACDI/VOCA-PhilCAFE to complement their programs to sustain interventions for the Mindanao coffee producers.

PRDP Mindanao also sealed partnerships with local government units such as the Province of Sultan Kudarat to get their commitment and support.

The collaboration with Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU) and Nestle Philippines has resulted in the creation of the “Knowledge on Agri-preneurship and Productivity Enhancement” (KAPE) Training which aims to improve the entrepreneurial skills and management of coffee growers of Sultan Kudarat.

The convergence for coffee has not only provided training on production but also in post-harvest processing such as coffee sorting and coffee grading. (Joy Montecalvo, PSO Min)