DTI trains coffee farmers in Agusan Norte
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Smallholder coffee farmers in Agusan del Norte are now equipped to improve their yields and income, thanks to the recent targeted training initiative spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry’s Rural Agro-enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development (RAPID) Growth Project.
A total of 170 farmers from five coffee-producing farmer organizations such as the Casiklan Wheels Farmers Association Inc. (CAWFAI), Durian Farmers’ Association (DUFA), Fatima Ibuan Farmers Workers Association, Inc. (FIFWA), Simbalan Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (SIFACO), and Sitio Antipolo Farmers Association of Buenavista Agusan del Norte, Inc. (SAFABAI) participated in the capacity-building sessions held in the municipalities of Buenavista and Las Nieves in the province of Agusan del Norte.
Focused on the rehabilitation and rejuvenation of old coffee trees, the training sessions were designed to teach practical, science-based methods of reviving aging and underperforming coffee farms that will improve farm profitability and profitability of the coffee farmers.
Through a combination of technical lectures and hands-on field demonstrations, participants gained valuable knowledge on how to improve plant health, increase harvest volume, and extend the lifespan of their trees. The training was facilitated by Marilou Lisayan, a seasoned expert from Caila’s Agricultural Consultancy, using tools provided by the RAPID Growth Project.
“Coffee rehabilitation is key to increasing productivity without the need for new land. It’s a sustainable solution that benefits both farmers and the environment,” Lisayan said.
According to DTI Agusan del Norte Provincial Director Lorijane D. Sacote, the initiative is rooted in a value chain approach and supports the broader goal of the RAPID Growth Project to strengthen the competitiveness of the local coffee industry.
“By investing in farmer education and farm restoration, the project paves the way for more consistent, high-quality coffee production, potentially opening doors to larger markets and higher incomes for smallholder growers,” Sacote said.
“In the long term, these farmers are expected to experience better crop yields, lower production costs, and greater resilience to environmental stress, all essential elements for sustainable growth in the agriculture sector,” Sacote added.
For participants like Gina Mandreza, business manager of SAFABAI, the training was a game-changer. “The knowledge we gained is empowering. We now have the tools and understanding to bring new life to our old coffee trees. This is more than just training, it’s an opportunity to uplift our livelihood and make our coffee farms productive again,” she said. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)
