LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Local coffee growers are now given the opportunity to know more about the potential of the coffee industry following the 1st La Trinidad Coffee Summit.
Myrna Pablo, regional director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-CAR) together with representatives of the National Industry Cluster Coordinator for Coffee presented the richness of resources of the coffee industry around Benguet and other provinces in the Cordillera part of the Philippine Coffee Roadmap.
Pablo emphasized local coffee growers should take advantage of local government agencies which could help them in coffee processing and trainings.
During the summit, Pablo added DTI is willing to fund trainings for the local coffee growers as discussed in the Cordillera Development Plan in the coffee industry.
The provision of appropriate coffee facilities with priority on pulpers and solar dryers and the establishment of farm learning sites or research farms are among projects eyed by the government for the region.
Other government agencies like Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, Bureau of Plant Industry, and Department of Agrarian Reform have supported the summit by presenting projects and activities for the sustainability of the Coffee Industry of La Trinidad.
The summit themed “Towards Sustainable and Coffee Excellence,” was initiated by the local government and La Trinidad Arabica Coffee Producers Association (Latacpa).
During the summit, participants were given ideas in improving the variety of their coffee seedlings by introducing the Good Agricultural Practice (GAP). (Shena Golosino)