World Bank delegates witnessed sustainability at work in the agri-fishery sector as they visited the Cavite Coffee Processing and Trading enterprise subproject in Amadeo, Cavite funded under the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP). It is considered as one of the model DA-PRDP subprojects in the entire country. 

The Php 15.9 M-suproject started in 2020 with the aim to improve and expand the coffee processing operations of the Café Amadeo Development Cooperative, one of the major buyers of local coffee in Amadeo. The cooperative received a coffee processing facility and equipment. 

Joilyn Nesperos, chairman of the cooperative, shared that the subproject helped them store more raw materials for processing. Through the facility, they now have the capacity to store 20 tons of coffee compared before when they can only store one ton. They have also increased their roasting capacity from 10-20 kilos an hour to 60- 120 kilos with the help of the two 30 kilo-roasting machines they received from the subproject. 

Four years after the project’s implementation, the cooperative tripled their annual gross sales and doubled their production volume. As a result, they were able to construct a coffee shop beside their processing facility and purchase a coffee bag packaging machine. They also provided employment to 52 individuals. 

After touring the processing facility, the World Bank, led by Agriculture and Food Global Leader Shobha Shetty, commended the Café Amadeo for their success. They said that it was very uplifting to see that the World Bank’s support is bearing fruit and making an impact to local farmers. They expressed hope that other cooperatives in the world would learn from the Café Amadeo and also forge their way to success. 

The DA, led by DA Assistant Secretary for Operations and DA-PRDP National Project Director U-Nichols Manalo also commended the cooperative. They thanked the World Bank for their guidance and insights to foster growth and resilience in the agri-fishery sector. Per Asec. Manalo, the DA will remain steadfast in boosting coffee production in the country through coffee rejuventation and rehabilitation programs, provision of agricultural inputs, materials, and equipment, and capacity-building activities for farmers. 

The Café Amadeo Development Cooperative thanked the DA, World Bank, and the local government for their continuous support. Per Café Amadeo General Manager Agnes Madlansacay, as their enterprise grows, they will continue to always keep the coffee farmers in mind to help them improve their livelihood and quality of life. # 

From producing 31,250 kg of coffee in 2020, the Café Amadeo Development Cooperative now produces twice this volume at 70,157.34 kg through the DA-PRDP subproject. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

DA-PRDP 4A Project Director Engr. Redelliza Gruezo expressed her admiration for the Café Amadeo Development Cooperative for going above and beyond with their DA-PRDP enterprise. She also thanked the cooperative for remaining true to their purpose of helping local coffee farmers and keeping the coffee industry alive in Amadeo, Cavite. (Photo by Von Samuel Panghulan)

Other World Bank delegates that joined the visit were Senior Agriculture Economist Mio Takada, Senior Rural Development Specialist Maria Theresa Quiñones, and Agriculture Economist Paula Beatrice Macandog. (Photo by Von Samuel Panghulan)

World Bank Agriculture and Food Global Leader Shobha Shetty commended the Café Amadeo Development Cooperative for their success. She said that she is also particularly happy to see women taking leadership positions in the cooperative. (Photo by Von Samuel Panghulan)

Café Amadeo Development Cooperative Joilyn Nesperos said that they are working hard right now to solidify their market at the local level before taking on the international market. (Photo by Von Samuel Panghulan)

DA Assistant Secretary for Operations U-Nichols Manalo said that the DA is very supportive of the coffee and cacao commodities. Aside from helping farmers improve their income, the DA’s efforts also help make the country’s cacao and coffee more well-known to the world. (Photo by Photo by Von Samuel Panghulan)

Café Amadeo Development Cooperative Board Director Rico Geron shows the World Bank delegates the coffee bag packaging machine they purchased to make their packaging operations faster and more efficient. (Photo by Von Samuel Panghulan)

Café Amadeo Development Cooperative General Manager Agnes Madlansacay explains the operations of their coffee processing facility to World Bank Agriculture and Food Global Leader Shobha Shetty and World Bank Agriculture and Food Practice Manager for East Asia and the Pacific Region Paavo Eliste. (Photo by Von
Samuel Panghulan)

Café Amadeo Development Cooperative members and the Amadeo LGU also joined World Bank’s visit to the DA-PRDP subproject to show their support. (Photo by Von Samuel Panghulan)