THE Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism’s Bureau of Trade and Industry in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MTIT-BTI-BARMM) conducted on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, a coffee industry cluster forum in Jolo, Sulu.

Attended by several cooperative members of Sulu Coffee Industry Federation (SCIF) and other stakeholders, the forum aimed to address the issues and challenges of coffee industry in the province.

It also sought to present MTIT’s Growth Enhancement Approach towards Regional Economic Development (Geared) program.

Rail Kamlon, MTIT-Sulu senior trade industry development specialist, said that the country is presently in high demand for coffee.

“Many of us have realized and started venturing business with coffee, from coffee production, coffee related products, to even coffee shops,” Kamlon said.

“The more business that comes with coffee, then the more coffee production becomes in demand,” he added.

On the other hand, BTI Chief Amina Karon-Mendez emphasized that BARMM has high potential in terms of coffee production.

Several issues and challenges were identified during the forum which included land fencing, quality seedlings, efficient facilities, and training funds.

Six municipalities of Sulu are currently engaged into coffee farming and are also members of SCIF, such as Talipao, Omar, Patikul, Indanan, Parang, and Maimbung. (SunStar Zamboanga)