MORE farmers in Western Visayas are now embarking on coffee planting, as the demand for the said commodity is now on the rise.
Relvin B. Paragua, focal person for Coffee and Cacao of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit (DA-RFU)-Western Visayas, said Tuesday, February 7, that the agency is providing 700,000 coffee seedlings this year, a big leap from the 470,000 in 2016.
In 2015, Western Visayas received 430,000 seedlings from DA Central Office.
Paragua said that coffee growers have a ready market because Nestle Philippines has established a buying station in Lapuz district in Iloilo City. The buying rate is almost P120 a kilo for class A beans.
Areas planted with coffee in Iloilo province are in the municipalities of Igbaras, Leon, Janiuay, Lambunao, Dingle, Calinog, Barotac Viejo and some parts of San Enrique and Passi City. Other plantations are found in Negros Occidental, Capiz, Antique, Aklan and Guimaras.
Last year, Nestle was able to buy more than 500,000 kilos of coffee beans from farmers in these areas.
“Nestle is willing to buy more if there is more production,” said Paragua.
Coffee Robusta, the available variety in Western Visayas, bears fruit irregularly unlike other varieties, which bear fruit on a seasonal basis. With the irregular schedule, farmers are assured of a year-round production.
The assistance the DA provides to coffee farmers ranges from provision of free seedlings, fertilizer, soil ameliorants and market linkage.
Free fertilizers are made available to coffee farmers enrolled in Coffee Production and Enhancement Program in the towns of Leon, Lambunao, Igbaras, Janiuay, San Enrique, Dingle and Barotac Viejo .
These are for coffee plants that are in their fruit-bearing years or are 10 years or more. It was conceptualized following an observation that farmers are not fond of applying fertilizers in areas where they plant coffee.
Farmers who are interested to grow coffee are advised to visit the nearest agriculture office in their area. (PNA)