DAVAO CITY – Growers in Mindanao can produce quality robusta and arabica that can compete with specialty products produced by coffee-growing nations of the world.
But Department of Trade and Industry-Compostela Valley director Siegred Balleque told Kapehan sa Dabaw here yesterday that farmers must be able to enhance their practices on growing, post-harvest, and processing in order to meet the quality standards that are being set by Coffee Quality Institute Protocols.
He said that the coffee farmers can export their produce and benefit from premium prices if they maintain a high standard on seed selection, nursery management, and good husbandry.
He said that at least 65 percent of the coffee produced in the country comes from Mindanao, giving the island a strong competitive edge in terms of market.
“That’s why, we have several interventions like the coffee summit,” said Balleque. (Antonio Colina)