Bacolod: The Department of Agriculture (DA) is advocating for the establishment of a coffee council in the Negros Island Region (NIR) to enhance the development of the coffee sector within the country's newest administrative territory. "I would like to encourage you or to consider creating the coffee council for NIR. We're looking forward to see it happen. We have projects and programs lined up for that," declared DAR-NIR Regional Director Albert Barrogo during the inauguration of the second edition of the Negros Occidental Coffee Fiesta at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central on Friday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Barrogo highlighted that while the Negros Occidental Coffee Council has been independently organizing events, Negros Oriental also possesses a "very active" coffee sector. Barrogo emphasized that the NIR coffee council should incorporate relevant government agencies, particularly the DA, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
DTI-NIR Assistant Regional Director Juliet Banogon affirmed their commitment to providing programs and services that support innovation, skills development, and excellence in the coffee industry. "In the region, we support our coffee micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the value chain through industry clustering approach, product development programs, market access initiatives, and capacity building activities," she stated.
Meanwhile, Provincial Agriculturist Dina Genzola expressed that the Negros Occidental Coffee Fiesta is instrumental in fostering a stronger connection between producers and consumers. "It also opens up new market opportunities and raises awareness of the challenges faced by our local farmers, and celebrating the richness of our province's coffee heritage," she remarked.
Negros Occidental Coffee Council chairperson Christian Marc Romay conveyed their ambition to make the Coffee Fiesta an annual event, with support from government agencies, non-government organizations, and MSMEs. "Our main goal is to make sure we bridge the gap between the producers and the consumers. It's the anchor of our advocacy, our producers should not have a hard time marketing their products and at the same time, the coffee shop owners, MSMEs, and consumers will be provided good quality coffee," he explained.
This year's Negros Occidental Coffee Fiesta features participation from 22 coffee shops, various coffee-producing local government units, and organized farmers' associations.
