Dauin: Multi-awarded Baslay Highland Agriculture Cooperative (BASHACO) in Dauin, Negros Oriental is expanding its production area to address the growing demand for its famous coffee brew. BASHACO president and chief executive officer Ruel Perez said in an interview on Friday that the expansion includes an additional 88 hectares of government land leased to the cooperative.
According to Philippines News Agency, the cooperative currently has 60,000 coffee seedlings in its nursery, sufficient for the 88-hectare expansion aimed at helping them recover from challenges. Perez explained that over the past year, they were unable to meet the demand for their processed coffee due to a low harvest caused by last year's El Ni±o episode and the impacts of climate change. The cooperative, known for its Baslay Highland Brew, harvested less than 20 percent of its typical 16 tons.
Perez emphasized that BASHACO is implementing climate-smart farming through an agroforestry approach, which is sustainable to combat climate change. The cooperative's activities extend beyond planting coffee, as they also include growing and maintaining forest trees, particularly native and endemic species. To meet current demand, the cooperative is sourcing coffee beans from other cooperatives and associations that have partnered with or been assisted by BASHACO.
Initially starting as Baslay Farmers' Association before becoming BASHACO in 2019, the cooperative was granted 120 hectares of government land by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) under the Community-based Forest Management Agreement. Over 150 members actively participate in communal and individual coffee farming activities. Besides coffee, BASHACO is planting and inter-cropping cacao or cocoa trees and producing tablea.
In June, BASHACO received the Golden Quill Award for the Community Relations Category of First Gen-Energy Development Corporation (EDC) in Vancouver, Canada. First Gen-EDC, the largest renewable energy company in the country, noted that BASHACO's focus on sustainable community development and clear communication could lead to awards for communication and social responsibility. Perez highlighted the invaluable contribution of First Gen-EDC over the years, from BASHACO's development to its current state. First Gen-EDC operates the 222.5-megawatt geothermal power plants in Valencia, Negros Oriental, and has collaborated with BASHACO in sustainable agriculture and development.
