The Department of Agriculture and Nestlé Philippines signed an agreement on Friday in Malaybalay, Bukidnon, to launch a regional program aimed at boosting coffee output across Northern Mindanao through enhanced seed supplies and farmer training, BusinessMirror reported.
Launching the Mindanao Integrated Coffee Development Program
Agriculture Undersecretary Jerome Oliveros and Nestlé Philippines Senior Jose Uy III signed the memorandum of agreement to establish the Mindanao Integrated Coffee Development and Genetic Resource Program. Officials gathered for the signing to address aging tree stocks across the region. “Since the trees are old, we have to adapt to the changes of the times… there are new varieties that we can now plant,” Oliveros told reporters during a press conference in Malaybalay.
Under the agreement, a national coffee genetic resource repository will be set up at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex. The facility will house registered Nestlé robusta selections from the Bureau of Plant Industry–National Seed Industry Council to evaluate, maintain, and conserve priority coffee varieties.
Expanding Infrastructure and World Bank Investments in Bukidnon
The Indigenous Peoples community of the Daraghuyan Ancestral Domain in Malaybalay City is receiving ₱97.91 million in World Bank-funded investments under the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project, according to the Philippine Information Agency and the Daily Tribune. Project Director Macario Gonzaga noted that the funding covers ₱51 million for two farm-to-market roads, ₱10.45 million for a warehouse and drying pavement, ₱14.76 million for a coffee processing enterprise, ₱4.1 million for a potable water system, and ₱17.6 million for a ram pump and gravity-fed irrigation system.
Aligning Private Sector Goals With Tribal Coffee Success
Carl Khoury, Vice President and Business Executive Officer of the Coffee Creamer Creations Business Unit at Nestlé Philippines, emphasized that collaborative efforts are essential to overcome sector-wide obstacles. “The challenges facing the Philippine coffee industry cannot be addressed by one organization alone,” Khoury stated, adding that government agencies, private companies, development partners, and farming communities share vital responsibilities.
These infrastructure upgrades and corporate partnerships arrive as local growers achieve recognition in national competitions. In the 2026 Philippine Coffee Quality Competition, Bae Masulakamit Gloria D. Lagawan won first place in the Arabica Washed category and received a Best Processing citation, according to Progress Watch: Metro Cagayan de Oro and Northern Mindanao. In the same year’s Southeast Asia Green Coffee Competition Philippine National Round, Lagawan placed sixth and fellow farmer Datu Magtatangka Regino D. Omarol took second place. These achievements follow tribal chieftain Adelina Tarino securing second place in the Arabica category at the 2025 competition.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Bukidnon Coffee Initiative
What specific coffee varieties will be maintained at the new research repository?
The facility will maintain priority coffee varieties featuring Nestlé robusta selections registered in the Bureau of Plant Industry–National Seed Industry Council.
Related reading