MORE NEWS, IFUGAO

World-class Ifugao coffee in the offing with Figaru project

LAGAWE, Ifugao – Visitors of this province would have something to talk about now other than the nearby Banaue Rice Terraces, woodcarvings, so-called Kaingan jokes or the Campbell murder.

In the near future, this province would soon be supplying world-class coffee at par or even better than Arabica or other brands.

This, following a “coffee congress” here organized by provincial officials to quote its theme -- “Pave the way for an alternative and sustained source of livelihood for Ifugao farmers.” Carmen Himmiwat of the regional Dept. of Agriculture who talked on investment in the coffee business said it is a growing industry. “Ifugao is one of the suitable sites for coffee plantations given its terrain and climate,” she said.

Gov. Teddy Baguilat, Jr. said to make the province known for its coffee people have to have business sense. “Coffee trees would be a big help to the watershed management program and preservation of rice terraces aside from making them commercially viable.”

Representatives from the Figaro Coffee Co. also discussed investment opportunities for coffee growers. Figaro is one of the largest coffee buyers in the region. The company encourages and facilitates production of quality indigenous coffee to help farmers live a better life by giving them reasonable price from their coffee produce.

Roland Fersti of the company said those who are planning to enegage in the coffee business must taking into consideration the volume and quality of coffee products for higher product value. “In the years to come, as the Ifugao coffee industry is growing, the province would also have its own coffee “branding” like Kalinga’s Kalinga Brew and Kalinga Blend,” he said.

The activity was attended by some 230 participants coming from different municipalities of Ifugao mostly composed of municipal agriculturists and farmers. Baguilat urged coffee growers to meet coffee volume and quality required by buyers.

He said he wanted added income and employment for Ifugao farmers through the coffee industry thus he is working on meeting coffee companies such as Figaro for marketing of Ifugao coffee products. The towns of Lagawe and Mayoyao had identified coffee as their One Town One Product (OTOP). Other Ifugao municipalities are reportedly starting to plant coffee as a viable livelihood venture.