The Department of Agriculture (DA) has set aside P2.5 billion for a farm-to-market road network in Sultan Kudarat to help expand coffee production and improve access to remote farming areas.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the project will open up about 29,000 hectares of land targeted for coffee development as part of efforts to reduce the country’s dependence on imported coffee.
The DA said coffee farming offers strong income potential for farmers, with coffee beans currently selling at around P300 per kilo. Based on average yields of one ton per hectare, farmers could earn at least P300,000 per harvest. Officials added that yields could still improve with better technology, farm inputs, and infrastructure.
The government is also promoting coffee as a higher-income alternative to traditional crops like rice. According to the DA, coffee farming can generate around 30 percent more income per hectare than rice farming.
Despite expansion plans, the Philippines is still expected to rely heavily on coffee imports due to growing local demand fueled by the country’s expanding café culture. The U.S. Department of Agriculture projects Philippine coffee imports to increase by nearly 10 percent to around 378,000 metric tons.
DA Undersecretary Jerome Oliveros said Sultan Kudarat is among several Mindanao provinces identified for coffee development, alongside Bukidnon, Davao del Sur, and Agusan del Sur. These areas will form part of the planned Mindanao Special Reserve Areas for Coffee Industry Development.
The DA said it aims to develop an additional 100,000 hectares nationwide to help the country move closer to coffee self-sufficiency.
DA allocates P2.5 billion for roads to boost coffee production in Sultan Kudarat
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