BALBALAN, Kalinga – The province will represent the Cordillera in this year’s National Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) Best Implementer Search of the Department of Science and Technology.
DOST-Kalinga Head Jasmin Donaal said Papaltungon Coffee Producers Association of this municipality is vying for the national award for the second time.
Papaltungon, a community-based coffee farmers association, is assisted by the DOST in the production and processing of highland coffee products.
It won as Regional Best CEST Implementer for creating another industry from waste materials by applying the coffee rejuvenation technology.
Papaltungon farmers process the twigs from pruned coffee trees into souvenir items and other finished products as an additional income for the association.
Among the coffee wood products of Papaltungon now being marketed are Christmas trees, candle holders, curtain decors, and fish decors.
To further develop the Papaltungon coffee rejuvenation project, the Kalinga State University has adopted it as an extension project under the College of Forestry where trainings are provided to members of the cooperative.
In 2019, the association received P200,000 worth of equipment incentive as the Regional Best CEST Implementer. – Larry Lopez
