The Arabica coffee enterprise of Mountain Province along with its satellite buying stations in the coffee producing municipalities will be turned over to proponent groups on Feb. 12.
This was announced by Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Provincial Management and Implementing Unit Head Daniel K. Likigan when he presented the status of subprojects implemented under the PRDP on Jan. 23.
Proponent groups of the Mountain Province Arabica Coffee Enterprise (MPACE) can now start the consolidation, processing, and marketing of the product with the P12.17 million allocation. Of the amount, P8.78M is for the infrastructure component and P3.38M is for enterprise operations.
MPACE was conceptualized to increase the value of Arabica coffee in the locality. Various farmer groups, even those without coffee production or without coffee processing businesses collaborated in the preparation of and approval of their business plan, with assistance from the provincial government.
The lead proponent group for the enterprise is the Besao Multipurpose Cooperative where the main consolidation and trading center was constructed.
The affiliate proponent groups are the Tadian MPC, Sagada MPC, Sagada Credit Cooperative, St. Barnabas MPC, Bagnen-Balintaugan Timpuyog Credit Cooperative, Maggon Rural Improvement Club, and Dangdang-ay di i-Bila MPC.
The satellite buying stations were constructed in Sagada, Tadian, and Bauko. Aside from civil works, coffee processing equipment and supplies will also be turned over to the proponent groups.
Funds for the subproject were shared by the World Bank (60 percent), DA (20 percent), the provincial government (20 percent), and 20 percent equity from the proponent groups.
Besao MPC Manager Darlyn Rodriguez said they can now assist their coffee grower-members and contribute in enhancing the productivity and marketability of Arabica coffee in the province. – Elvy S. Taquio
