Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Agri department to revive coffee industry
By Jenny Molbog-Mendoza
TO AVOID importation of coffee, the Department of Agriculture (DA) 11 has suggested reviving the industry in the region.
Data at DA 11 show coffee production of the country averages 0.39 metric tons per hectare. But this is way below its potential of two to three metric tons per hectare, a target production within reach.
The same data reveals that domestic production and demand stand at 25,000 and 55,000 metric tons, respectively.
"This gives a shortfall of 30,000 metric tons, triggering importation worth US$20 million per year," the report states.
As of 2003, the total coffee export of the country was pegged at US$239,000.
The importation, the agency said, could be avoided if the country can entice a number of investors to infuse capitalization in the industry.
Of the 72,620 hectares of the country production area for coffee, 49,200 hectares are in Mindanao.
Therefore, DA 11 said, "Mindanao has enough area to meet the projected 10,000 hectares per year expansion necessary for the country to be self-sufficient."
Latest data at the agency show that of the total production of the country, robusta coffee accounts for 90 percent while the rest is shared by arabica, librica, and excelsa varieties.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (June 28, 2005 issue)
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