THE Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm), through the Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT) in partnership with the Ministry of Public Works (MPW), is constructing a P5 million coffee processing center in Sulu.
The Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO) said Wednesday, May 28, the coffee processing center will be built in Buansa village, Indanan, Sulu.
The construction of the coffee processing center is funded through the 2024 Transitional Development Impact Funds of Barmm Member of Parliament Don Mustapha Loong.
The BIO said the ground ceremony of the project on Tuesday, May 27, marked the launch of a facility designed to streamline coffee processing from bean to cup, enhancing product quality and market competitiveness while fostering sustainable economic growth.
MTIT-Sulu Director Nagdar Sasapan emphasized the center’s role in “brewing a brighter future” for Sulu’s coffee farmers.
Sasapan, together with MPW-Sulu First District Engineer Ajan Ajijul, led the groundbreaking ceremony of the P5 million project, which is expected to serve as a model for agro-industrial innovation in the province.
“These beneficiaries of the processing center are pre-identified cooperatives by the office of MP Loong who are also qualified to undergo training,” Sasapan said in a statement.
“We look forward to opening another processing center in the coming future to cater to more cooperatives in processing their coffee products,” he added.
MTIT will oversee equipment acquisition and training, while MPW is in charge of constructing the coffee processing facility.
Once completed, the facility aims to strengthen the coffee industry of Sulu by increasing production capacity, creating jobs, and enhancing the livelihoods of local farmers. (SunStar Zamboanga)