Sagada council set to be first Phl certified organic Arabica coffee producer

By Mervalyn Oplas

SAGADA, Mountain Province -- The Sagada Arabica Coffee Council (SACC) based in this tourist town is set to become the first certified arabica coffee producer in the Philippines.

           

Lara Nivas, Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Products Standards (BAFPS) senior science specialist said in an interview the SACC was the first in the country to undergo the phases needed for certification.

            There are four phases needed to be undergone for an organic council to be certified.

            The first phase is understanding organic agriculture, development of tools, understanding standards and processes needed to be passed.

            Second is skills training, third is validation after the inspection of plantations is done then final inspection and certification.

            Nivas said the SACC is now on its fourth phase because there are gaps still needed to be fulfilled.

            Sagada Arabica Coffee Council is the only organic arabica coffee organization that reached this phase nationwide.

            Nivas said the Department of Agriculture may help in some aspects as long as there is “seed money” from the council.

            Arlene Sagayo, Regional Focal Person for Organic Agriculture, said that they can provide assistance to the council if production is abundant. She mentioned that roasting facility, dehuller, and even sprayer for those with wider area of plantation may be given.

            BAFPS will again inspect the plantations and assess the council on October 2012 to see if they met the requirements for certification.