Consistent with these values was CvSU’s active involvement in Gender and Development (GAD) of the Southern Tagalog Agriculture Resources Research and Development Consortium (STARDDEC). This close partnership has flourished with the consistent and strategic promotion of gender equality. Its mission was further strengthened by the university’s GAD Focal Point System, which was established in 2012.

GAD Influencer
Dr. Neila Cresino, CvSU Director for Gender and Development, stated, “Gender and Development programs enhance the awareness, knowledge, and skills. They also change the perceptions, attitudes, and values of faculty members, employees, students, and external clients.” CvSU was awarded as the Most Outstanding State University in GAD Implementation in Calabarzon from 2014 to 2016, which highlighted the fact that the university is a gender responsive institution.

With Cavite being known as the coffee capital not only in the Calabarzon area but in the Philippines, CvSU is in a key area as a GAD influencer. These four major focus points of the GAD lead to programs with GAD-consistent outputs: higher education services, research and development services, extension services, and support to operation. The need for GAD was determined through studies and research about coffee farming in the area.

Eye-opening Studies
“Gender-based Differentiation among Coffee Growers in Selected Areas in Cavite—a study by Marvelle R. Atienza, Shimitha Rose B. Ikuta, and Nelia C. Cresino—revealed that gender differentiation still exists among coffee growers in Cavite. The study explained: “Women tend to shoulder most of the reproductive activities while men predominantly perform productive activities. In community activities, men dominated women in agriculture-related activities such as agricultural cooperatives, farmer’s field school, community development programs, and environmental activities. Women mostly attended the financial and entrepreneurial programs. Men were more exposed to hazards since they performed the bulk of the work in the farm. On the other hand, women were more exposed to biological hazards since they are most likely to attend to sick members of the family and attend healthcare programs. Moreover, some of the women also served as barangay healthcare workers, [a designation] which exposes them to [other health risks].”

Gender and Development programs change the perceptions, attitudes, and values of faculty members, employees, students, and external clients. (Dr. Nelia Cresino)

Another study “Influence of Labor Distribution in Coffee Farmers in Amadeo, Cavite—by Angelique Anne V. Ramos, Gia Antonette A. Sales, and Willie C. Buclatin—defined the general and farming characteristics of coffee farmers in the area. It confirmed that there was “a significant relationship between sex and control over income with regards to labor distribution.” The study’s findings likewise suggests that control over income was influenced by the participant’s sex.

The overwhelming results of both studies underscored the importance of GAD. Research and studies have revealed the gender gap and how educational institutions, private companies, and the government can work together to educate one another and, in the future, lessen if not remove that gap.”

Solid Partnership
PCBI is currently in a partnership with CvSU-GAD. As the coffee business expert, PCBI provides the orientation on capacity development of coffee growers and processors on GAD gender analysis and tools, GAD planning and budgeting, as well as gender mainstreaming and conducting research on coffee under the GAD perspective.

Aiming for a sustainable gender-equal coffee industry, CvSU’s GAD department looks forward to continuing the dissemination of GAD programs, projects, and activities among coffee growers and processors. CvSU’s GAD development continues to work with the PCBI to give the industry a globally and morally good cup.

The academe in the Philippines has taken on various roles to promote coffee quality through different programs and facilities. Esteemed universities such as Cavite State University (CSU), Benguet State University (BSU), Central Mindanao University, Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (Mindanao SPAMAST) and University of Southern Mindanao (USM) have recognized the growing importance of coffee in the farming and agricultural sector.

CUPPING FOR COFFEE QUALITY
With the help and guidance of the Philippine Coffee Board, Inc. (PCBI), CSU made it their goal to raise Philippine coffee quality to the highest level. Complete with research and development, the CSU coffee quality center is designed “to complement the thrust of the Coffee Research and Development (R&D) Program titled , ‘Creating Growth in the Countryside through Development of Appropriate Technologies on Coffee Production and Processing.'”

Another quality cupping laboratory in the southern Philippines is at Mindanao SPAMAST. Backed by the Department of Trade and Industry, SPAMAST satisfies the high demand for quality graded coffee not only of the region but of the whole country.

VALUE-ADDED TRAINING
Research centers such as continue to work and collaborate together. BSU Professor Valentino Macanes, also the Director of the Institute of Highland Farming Systems and Agroforestry, has started a cupping lab from these interactions. The aim of this lab is to train more Q graders in the Cordillera region. Professor Macanes has helped develop highland farming programs and initiatives and has shared ideas with coffee researchers and research centers. This assistance is a very crucial development because highland coffee is sought after around the world due to its flavor advantage brought by altitude and temperate weather.

RESEARCH TO DEVELOP
Coffee research is an important tool that paves the way to ensure sturdier crops. While several universities realize its value, USM has been a coffee research leader through published and ongoing studies into coffee. The Philippine Industrial Crops Research Institute (PICRI) from USM is also the national research institute for coffee.

INDUSTRY INTERACTION
CMU’s pillars of education go beyond instruction and research. One of its major functions includes the production, protection, management, and development of the agri-based and forest-based entrepreneurships in order to generate income as well as to provide support services to instruction, research, and extension.

The University Income Generation Program, which generates income and provides employment opportunities for the unemployed in nearby communities, includes a division for plantation crops. The Plantation Crop Production Division (PCPD) is responsible for the implementation, management, and operations of the plantation crops production projects to include rubber, coffee and cacao, fruit crops and commercial nursery, coconut, cassava, sugarcane and other crops.

Beyond the school, CMU has been working with various organizations, including Coffee for Peace (CFP), to build academic programs that train social entrepreneurs in the context of building peace in Mindanao.

SEEDING THE FUTURE
The important role of science, technology, research and development in coffee production is acknowledged and now implemented in coffee growing, production and improvement. Expect great things to come out of these establishments for the improvement of Philippine coffee one cup at a time.

PCBI works in partnership with these scholarly institutions, hardworking farmers, and supportive government and non-government institutions to weave the different sectors together, preparing the fertile ground to plant the seeds for quality coffee.

It is said that “the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.” Knowing that the academe is involved in shaping tomorrow’s farmers, entrepreneurs and researchers gives us renewed hope in the future.

(article by Ann Kuy / photo by Keith Dador)

Robert Francisco joined PCBI as its technical consultant in February 2017, to help set up the Coffee Quality Center at Cavite State University for the first Kape Pilipino Green Coffee Quality Competition. Since then he has been busy as its executive director, implementing programs to improve the coffee industry. He received his Q-grader certification in 2015 and has been using his cupping expertise to further improve coffee quality in the country.

COFFEE CUPPING FOR COFFEE PRODUCTIVITY
“Cupping the coffee is evaluating the product in a brew. Knowing the product and the brew will will tell you if the right notes will come out. Cupping will tell how processing was done. Cupping will tell how processing was done. Cupping is very important for both post-processing and post-harvest, to improve quality by changing processing or identifying where the bean is best for.”

“Learn how to cup to understand coffee.” (Robert Francisco, Executive Director, PCBI)

COFFEE QUALITY
“As a philosophy, coffee stakeholders have to know their product. Whether they are certified or not, farmers, cooperative owners and traders should learn to cup and evaluate the coffee they are buying. When standards are elevated, they will no longer buy low-grade coffee. If farmers want to sell, they need to elevate standards.”

OPPORTUNITIES
“The potential quality of coffee in our farms can be competitive with the global standards for quality coffee. Two things can happen: quality improves or quantity increases. If both come about, we can satisfy local consumption and exceed quality standards. If the demand is there, production will continue.”

WHAT’S BREWING?
“I currently see an aggressive trend that has been slowly brewing. And this was seen in Kape Pilipino competition, where the farmers were processing their beans to meet third wave standards. This is a high level of quality, with more scientific techniques being used to come up with beautiful coffee. More local cafés are buying local coffee because of the quality.”

Part of Bohol Coffee and Cacao Growers Association’s mission and vision is support for the children of poor coffee and cacao farmers with a full scholarship in Agriculture Technology. Ed Luardo explains, “We harness the youth by training them as coffee and cacao technicians and agri-entrepreneurs”.

After retiring in 2009, John Edgar Luardo took over the agricultural property left by his parents in Bohol. His quest for a crop that would fit into the non-irrigated farm areas led to coffee. Further collaborations with fellow coffee farmers resulted in the construction of the Coffee and Cacao Training School with its own nursery in Carmen, Bohol. His involvement eventually led to the creation of the Bohol Coffee and Cacao Growers Marketing (BCCGMC), with the help of PCBI and Agricultural Training Institute.

COOPERATIVES FOR COFFEE PRODUCTIVITY
“The first coffee farmers to establish their farms were Dr. Fe Miñoza and Atty. Dionisio Balite. From then our group multiplied exponentially. Currently we have coffee farms in Carmen, Batuan, Bilar, Catigbian, Danao, San Miguel, Dagohoy, Mabini, Ubay, Anda, Talibon, Sierra Bulliones, Guindulman, Pilar and Duero. Coffee production in Bohol has multiplied despite the warthquakes. At least five to seven municipalities in the different districts of Bohol can claim that they have coffee farms already.”

COFFEE EQUALITY
“Through the Pick Red campaign of PCBI, the quality of coffee has improved tremendously. Imposing penalties made on green coffee cherries given to farmers was a bitter pill to swallow. Traders and buyers have to teach the farmers basic quality control, so they can obtain optimum prices for their coffee cherries. Buying fresh berries makes the farmers aware of what the buyer and trader want when they sell their coffee.”

CHALLENGES
“There is a need to create coffee quality technicians. Intensive training of a corps of coffee technicians should be emphasized by related government agencies. Creativity and innovation are needed to identify lucrative markets for the coffee farmers. Processing techniques, packaging, and marketing up the value chain must understood by the coffee farmer organization.

WHAT’S BREWING?
“Much of the varieties planted in Bohol is Robusta. With the help of PCBI, we were able to obtain planting materials of Arabica from Cordillera, Liberica from Joel Lumagbas and Dr. Mojica, and Excelsa from a Batangueño friend. Now we have our four coffee varieties and eventually will be making our very own Bohol Blend coffee, with a highland blend and a coastal blend soon.

“We have our own stories to share. Although these might not attract much attention, we take pride in the improvements that we have accomplished in our Bohol coffee industry.” (John Edgar Luardo, farmer and entrepreneur, Bohol Coffee and Cacao Growers Marketing Cooperative)

Commune started in 2013 as one of the first few independent, third-wave cafés in Manila. Commune still remains proudly Filipino, from its coffee to its menu. Commune serves only 100% Philippine coffee from various farms in the country.

CAFÉS FOR COFFEE PRODUCTIVITY
“When Commune started in 2013, people were asking me why I served only Philippine coffee. I was on a quest to prove that if you knew where to look and if you worked with the farmers to improve the quality of their coffee, you will be amazed by Philippine coffee.”

COFFEE QUALITY
“I see a lot of work ahead of us but I see a lot of hope. Now that the demand for quality coffee is increasing, farmers are also more interested to know what coffee quality is all about. Now, it’s time to level up and work on the quality of the coffee they grow. The demand for quality coffee will definitely serve as an inspiration and motivation for our farmers.”

WHAT’S BREWING?
“We started with retail and focused on the quality of he beverages we produce. We’ve begun roasting our own beans, and we look forward to working closely with the farmers to further improve the quality of the coffee that we source.”

“Enhancing productivity ultimately benefits the farmers because they reap the economic benefits of a superior product.” (Rosario Juan, Chief Extractor of Coffee, Commune Café)

Bea Belardo of Belardo Coffee Enterprises takes pride in the family-owned business that was established when the Philippines became one of the top coffee exporters in the ’80s.

COFFEE TRADING FOR COFFEE PRODUCTIVITY
“The demand for local coffee is still high. Traders help roasters with their supply. As a roaster ourselves, we’ve felt that in the lean season, it will be really hard to source coffee, especially if we haven’t forcasted the demand properly. There are a lot of initiatives now in reviving the coffee industry within the country, and it’s good to know that farmers are working together with these organizations, to up their harvest and quality as well.”

COFFEE QUALITY
“I think productivity and quality should go hand in hand. If we want coffee that has good quality, we should make it known that it’s labor intensive to reach a certain point or grade.”

“Coffee will have premium quality for a premium price.” (Bea Belardo, coffee trader, Belardo Coffee Enterprises and Café Belardo)

OPPORTUNITIES
“I think with extensive education that focuses on producing a potential player for the specialty market, Robusta will not be seen as the inferior variety and a low-cost crop.”

WHAT’S BREWING?
“In 2016, we experimented with producing honey-processed Robusta, which ended up as our entry in the first Kape Pilipino Green Coffee Quality Grading Competition. We were surprised that it gained a score of above 80. It was labor-intensive and took a lot of care for the post-harvest. It’s a good sign that they are making a lot of effort in producing good quality coffee.”

The competition is supported and sponsored by the Mindanao Productivity in Agriculture Commerce and Trade (MinPACT) project, a project implemented by ACDI/VOCA and funded by the United States Department of Agriculture. KP’s objective is to improve farmer income through increased production, productivity, and quality of coffee, cacao, and coconut.

Since March 2016 the PCBI has been hosting cupping trainings in coordination with the Barista and Coffee Academy of Asia (BCAA) to improve the understanding of farmers, roasters, and retailers on coffee quality. Recently, an Arabica Q or quality exam was held to graduate Filipino Q graders among the attendees of the past courses. PCBI is the In-Country Partner (ICP) of the CQI, the esteemed authority on specialty coffee based in the USA. Specialty coffee is coffee that scores higher than 80 points on a 100-point scale, the scoring is based on 10 attributes and defects of the coffee. The higher the score, the better price it commands in the specialty market.

Farmer associations and cooperatives as well as individual farmers are encouraged to collect five-kilo samples of their best lot of Arabica and or Robusta green beans with a moisture no higher than 11%. These samples, limited to one sample per association, cooperative, or individual farmer, will be cupped in late February by a panel of experts selected by CQI to do the difficult job.

Farmers need to have the volume required for the samples. They are encouraged to retain the quantity of the same coffee in the sample because if it wins, it may fetch a higher price after the competition.

There is also a special category for Liberica and Excelsa coffee varieties which are also found in the Philippines.

Samples will be received by specific State Universities and Colleges, namely Benguet State University, Cavite State University, Mindanao State University, Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology, Sultan Kudarat State University, and by ACDI/VOCA in Davao City. A receiving protocol has been provided to those designated as receivers of coffee samples. Meanwhile, farmers are encouraged to start selectively harvesting and appropriately processing their best green coffee lots for the competition.

International cuppers will be coming from February 27 to March 4 for the cupping exercise. Final results will be announced in early March.

The winning Arabica and Robusta coffees and a representative of the cooperative, association, or the individual farmer who produced them will be sent to the upcoming Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) convention in Seattle, Washington, USA on April 2017. Other coffees that have high scores will also be shared with potential buyers and interested stakeholders during SCAA.

Kape Pilipino Cup Quality Competition Official Rules

Download the form here!

For more information, you may call 0908-8831218 or email admin.pcbi@gmail.com.