๐๐จ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐ค๐๐ก๐จ๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐: ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ญ’๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ฒ
Coffee stakeholders from various agencies gathered in Sultan Kudarat for the Convergence Meeting 2024, renewing their collective commitment to advancing the coffee industry in the province.
The convergence initiative, which is rooted in the Provincial Commodity Investment Plan (PCIP) of Sultan Kudarat, was formally established in 2021 through a Memorandum of Agreement facilitated by the PRDP and the provincial local government. Prior to this, the province had already laid a strong foundation to support the coffee industry under the leadership of the local government.
Sultan Kudarat Provincial Governor Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu, a staunch advocate for the province’s coffee sector, highlighted the industryโs significant potential in both local and international markets. In his message, Governor Mangudadatu emphasized the transformative impact that convergence has had on the regionโs coffee industry.
โI am proud to say that our collaborative efforts have been immensely productive, bringing tangible benefits to our coffee industry,โ Governor Mangudadatu said. โRecently, Sultan Kudarat was once again recognized for producing some of the best coffee in the country. Our international presence is also growingโwe recently showcased our products in China, where they were met with great enthusiasm. This October, weโve been invited to Colombia to learn some of their best practices, and in January next year, Vietnam has extended a similar invitation. These opportunities reflect the growing global recognition of our local coffee industry.โ
NPCO IPLAN Component Head, Undersecretary Agnes Catherine T. Miranda, underscored the vital role of the DA-PRDP in bolstering the coffee sector through various interventions, including infrastructure projects under the I-BUILD, enterprise support through I-REAP, and training and research initiatives led by I-PLANโs subcomponent 1.2.
โThe PRDP has committed a total of Php 588 million to I-BUILD and I-REAP subprojects, including 14 I-BUILD and three I-REAP initiatives focused on coffee in Sultan Kudarat,โ said Undersecretary Miranda. โThe I-PLAN Component, in collaboration with Nestlรฉ Philippines and Sultan Kudarat State University, has been instrumental in providing training for coffee farmers and developing a comprehensive region-wide coffee profile.โ
Sultan Kudaratโs success in fostering collaboration has not gone unnoticed; the province has twice been recognized by DA-PRDP as having the “Best Convergence” in Mindanao, a testament to its effective partnerships with other agencies and stakeholders.
During the meeting, Regional Coffee Council Chairman Ronan Eugene C. Garcia provided insights into the event’s objectives and addressed the challenges currently facing the coffee industry. The High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) of DA-12 reaffirmed its commitment to addressing gaps in the coffee value chain. HVCDP XII Focal Person, Michael Nikko Mosqueda, outlined strategies for boosting coffee production and enhancing quality, along with plans for upcoming events, such as the Regional Coffee Quality Competition 2024, the Philippine Coffee Quality Competition 2024, and the Coffee Congress 2024.
Governor Mangudadatu concluded the event by highlighting the unique strength of Sultan Kudaratโs convergence approach.
โOur commitment to convergence sets us apart from other provinces. By bringing together various agencies, we can collectively contribute to the region’s industrial campaign. It is crucial that we align our programs and study the economy carefully, given our limited resources. However, we must not allow scarcity to hinder us from achieving our goals,โ Governor Mangudadatu said. (๐๐จ๐ฒ ๐. ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฏ๐จ, ๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ง๐๐จ)
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Agri Tayo Soccsksargen
Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat