Farmers in Ambaguio, Nueva Vizcaya were able to develop their own brand of brewed, upland “barako” coffee, according to the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
Farmers belonging to the Tiblac-Lingak Farmers Association Inc., a DAR-assisted agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organization (ARBO) in Ambaguio, Nueva Vizcaya unveiled Ambaguio Kapi, the first Nueva Vizcaya brand of Robusta coffee.
Dindi Tan, DAR Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer said Ambaguio is producing 2 varieties of coffee—Arabica and Robusta.
Tan went around the area and practically conducted hands-on coffee production processes—from grinding, drying to packaging and assisted the farmer-members in the development of their new product label.
DAR-Nueva Vizcaya said it has been instrumental in crafting the new branding and labeling of the “Robustica Coffee” amid the pandemic. It has also committed to help the farmers’ association to market their produce.
“We will continuously help and guide our ARBOs in all the stages of their operations so that they may be able to sustain their business,” she said.
Tan said the price of coffee was also severely affected by the pandemic.
“Our farmers who are into the coffee business have been experiencing difficulty pitching for a pricing mechanism that will not put them at a terrible disadvantage,” Tan said.
To help the farmers cope with the situation, Tan said DAR-Nueva Vizcaya has forged partnerships with other national government agencies like the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry to help develop and market the farmers’ products, such as the Robusta coffee.
“This convergence initiative of various government agencies help the farmers to stay afloat especially during these challenging times,” she said.
“Buy local! Patronize local products! Support our farmer-beneficiaries so that they can continue supporting our nation, especially during this pandemic.”