ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat – Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. lauded the strong collaboration between the government, private sector, and farming communities, citing it as key to building a globally competitive Philippine coffee industry.
The Department of Agriculture (DA), the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and Nestlé Philippines jointly celebrated International Coffee Day, marking the culmination of Project Coffee++, a multi-sector collaboration that has improved the lives and livelihoods of coffee farmers in key producing areas.
In his keynote address, Tiu Laurel described the event as a “meaningful milestone” that underscores the power of partnerships in revitalizing traditional farming communities to mainstreaming local farmers to major markets.
With the active participation of Nestlé Philippines, GIZ and the DA- High Value Crops Development Program, the Project Coffee++, paved the way for the establishment of new or improved coffee cultivars that are climate-resilient and high-yielding, enhanced farmers’ practice and resulted to higher income —- benefitting thousands of farmers in Sultan Kudarat and Bukidnon, two of the country’s most vital coffee-producing provinces.
Through its Farmer Business School and Regenerative Agriculture Training Programs, Project Coffee++ has strengthened farmers’ business skills, increased soil and crop productivity, and advanced sustainable, climate-smart practices. “These efforts directly contribute to our shared goal of a masaganang agrikultura, maunlad na ekonomiya — a productive and resilient agriculture that empowers Filipino farmers,” Tiu Laurel said.
He cited Nestlé’s commitment to source nearly 80 percent of its local green coffee beans from Sultan Kudarat, the country’s Coffee Capital, as proof that inclusive value chains can uplift farming communities. The initiative, he added, has led to more communities embracing the coffee culture, stronger cooperatives, and renewed pride in locally grown Robusta coffee.
Tiu Laurel noted that Project Coffee++ supports the Philippine Coffee Industry Roadmap 2021–2025, which envisions a sustainable and globally competitive coffee sector built on productivity, quality, and shared prosperity. Success stories from Regions 10 and 12, he said, can serve as models for other coffee-growing areas nationwide.
“As we close Project Coffee++, we take cognizance of its transformational impact; embibing sustainable practices and fair trade in the process,” Tiu Laurel said. “The DA remains committed to expanding coffee success stories from farmers to baristas and ensuring access to reliable markets, improved technologogies, and affordable credit.”
He thanked Nestlé, GIZ, local governments, and Filipino coffee farmers “for their dedication, partnership, and faith in the future of Philippine coffee.”
