MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)-Following the creation of a new technical working group (TWG) for the coffee sector, the province of Lanao del Sur is now eyeing to bolster its production of coffee and make a name in such an industry.
Ministry of Trade Investments and Tourism (MTIT)-Lanao del Sur Senior Trade Industry Development Specialist Abdul Bashit Sabdullah emphasized that they initiated the formation of a TWG to amplify the coffee production in the province as they can indeed attest that there is a very high demand and potential of coffee in the market.
He stressed that there are already many coffee farmers in the province but were not given enough attention as this is the first time that the MTIT has magnified such a sector.
”This is the first time [to form a TWG] kasi ang MTIT years back na hindi pa BARMM [when it was not yet BARMM], DTI [Department of Trade and Industry] was focusing on different industries but isang [one] industry kada [per] province. For Lanao del Sur, we were focusing on abaca before. For this time, since bago ito, niregionalize na ang coffee [this is new, the coffee was regionalized] ]that is why nagsisimula na tayo [we started] with the help of the technical working group,” said Sabdullah.
The MTIT Senior Trade Industry Development Specialist underscored that although the Philippines is one of the coffee producers worldwide, it still has to import some supplies for the consumption of its people.
However, with Lanao del Sur having suitable land to grow coffee, he conveyed that it would be better if the place would embark on the production of such as this would not only benefit the Bangsamoro region but also the whole country in general.
Sabdullah said that as of now, they have not yet set a specific target for the coffee industry in the province as they are only starting to maximize production through the regionalization program of their ministry.
Nonetheless, he hoped that in no time, the province would be recognized as a producer not only of commercial coffee but of special or top-grade coffee as well.
Sabdullah likewise urged more residents to engage in coffee production considering that more opportunities await and various ministries are now ready to render relevant aid.
“Ang Lanao del Sur ay [is] elevated so probably, we can produce magagandang [good] coffee… Mag-engage tayo [We must engage] into coffee kasi malaki ang potensyal sa kape [because there is a big potential in coffee], not only sa [in the] Pilipinas but worldwide,” he said.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) reported that four types of coffee can grow in Lanao del Sur province, namely, arabica, robusta, liberica, and excelsa. (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)
