The Hojap Multipurpose Cooperative (HMPC) moved one step closer to expanding their coffee business following the inauguration and turnover of their improved P4.49-million worth coffee consolidation and processing center in Asipulo, Ifugao on July 23.
Implemented under the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP), the HMPC building located at Barangay Haliap, which was originally constructed under the DA-High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) in 2015, was improved by the PRDP to support their enterprise subproject on coffee processing and marketing.
Two floors were added to the existing building that will be used for coffee processing and marketing activities.
Two satellite buying stations worth P3.55M were also established at barangays Pula and Camandag. These buying stations will facilitate consolidation of coffee, especially from the remote barangays of Asipulo.
The HMPC also received two hauling trucks and several coffee making tools and equipment from PRDP amounting to P5.88M.
HMPC manager Shirley U. Tagtag expressed her gratitude to the cooperative’s partner-agencies for the numerous assistance they received in terms of training, product development, facilities, and equipment, among other things.
“This processing center and all the other facilities and equipment will surely help in the realization of the goals of this enterprise project to increase farm productivity and income of coffee growers, improve the Ifugao coffee competitiveness, and strengthen and develop a viable robusta coffee enterprise,” Tagtag said.
The coop now has 1,500 members and a total asset of P131M.
Tagtag said they consolidated around 50 kilos of dried robusta coffee berries currently stored at their postharvest facility and at the buying stations.
“Despite the challenges that we are currently facing, we are continuously providing production support to our coffee grower members, such as coffee production loan and product development training,” she added.
DA Regional Technical Director and PRDP Regional Deputy Project Director Danilo P. Daguio congratulated the HMPC for the inauguration of their enterprise subproject after six years since the submission and approval of their proposal.
PRDP Project Support Office North Luzon Deputy Project Director Elma S. Mananes also urged the HMPC to develop and sustain their enterprise subproject as they poured in a lot of efforts together with the local government and the DA-PRDP for this to be realized.
James Damoyan, executive assistant to the governor, also commended the HMPC for the successful realization of their long-awaited dream.
“With this project, we are now given bigger responsibilities and challenges from the coffee growers as our suppliers and also from our consumers to have a competitive product,” he said, adding that Hojap MPC should keep on upgrading their venture to become more competitive. – Elvy T. Estacio
April 24, 2024
