Benguet farmers get P4.13-M DA- PRDP coffee trading center

By Elvy T. Estacio

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The Dept. of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) turned over the Benguet Coffee Trading Center to Proponent Groups (PGs) of the Benguet Arabica Coffee Enterprise (BACE) on July 9.
    Benguet Gov. Melchor D. Diclas led turnover rites with DA-CAR OIC regional executive director Cameron P. Odsey, and PRDP North Luzon deputy project director Elma S. Mananes.
    Officials from Benguet Provincial Project Management and Implementing Unit (PPMIU) witnessed the event.
    During the turnover, the board of directors and representatives from PGs headed by the Kibungan Arabica Coffee Growers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (KACGMPC), accepted the facility and committed to use it for its intended purpose.
    “In behalf of the BACE PGs, we are committing to use this facility for its purpose as we also believe that it will motivate our fellow coffee growers to increase their production”, said Martes Aludos, KACGMPC board of directors chairperson.
    With a project cost of P4.13 million, the trading center was established to support operations of the BACE for its coffee consolidation and trading activities.
    Diclas, in his message, cited importance of improving coffee quality and increasing coffee production.
     “Production is as equally important as marketing for without production, you will have nothing to market,” said Diclas.
    He added improved production will improve coffee farmers’ living conditions.
    Mananes also urged the 11 PGs to develop their enterprise subproject and sustain it even beyond the closing of the PRDP.
    “As the PRDP provides interventions, the major reasons of these projects will always be alleviating poverty and increasing farmers’ income,” she said.
    Odsey urged PGs to review their business plans as it was the basis of their enterprise subproject.
    “Coffee is a premium product of the region and the biggest challenge for you today is your business plan. You came up with it five years ago and now that it is completed, go back and revisit your plans on how to be a millionaire through your enterprise,” he said.
    The subproject costs P13.91 million with 60 percent from the World Bank, 20% from the DA, 20% from Benguet provincial government including another 20 percent equity (in cash/kind) from PGs.
    Aside from the trading center, two hauling vehicles were previously turned over to the PGs including 75 units of coffee pulper, 350 pcs hermetic bags, 16 units of fabricated elevated solar dryer, among other coffee making materials.
    With aims of expanding coffee market offering high quality and globally competitive coffee green beans, the BACE will be managed by a BOD composed of one representative each from Atok Arabica Coffee Growers Marketing Cooperative (ACOGMAC), Abiang Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ACMPC), Boboc-Bisal Organic Arabica Coffee Producer and Grower Association, Inc. (BBOACPGAI), Pacso Producers of Coffee Association, Inc (PaProCoAI), Kapangan Arabica Coffee Producers Association  (KACPA), La Trinidad Arabica Coffee Producers Association (LATACPA), Banangan Coffee Growers (BCG), Tuba Benguet  Coffee Growers Association , Inc. (TuBengCoGa), Tublay Organic Farming Practitioners  Association (TOFPA), Benguet Organic Coffee Arabica Enterprises Limited Inc. (BOCAELI), Bakun Central Multipurpose Coop. (BCMPCI) headed by a representative from the KACGMPC.