SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMUNITY- BASED FARM ON ORGANIC ARABICA COFFEE GREEN BEAN PRODUCTION IN SAGADA, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE
Teresita K. Mangili, Sonwright B. Maddul, Carlito P. Laurean, Marlo C. Abyado, Jr.
ABSTRACT
The project was conducted from February 2013- July 2015 to upscale the application of S&T interventions found to be profitable in the regular Science and technology Based (STBF) that would support the raw material requirements of the Techno Mart Project; specifically, to increase the production of quality Arabica coffee green bean from 300 grams to 600 grams per tree; to promote wider adoption of the recommended technologies for Arabica coffee production through the Community- Based STBF modality; and to enhance active participation and empower the farming communities and local organizations of Sagada in promoting the application of recommended technologies to increase coffee farm productivity.
The proper application of the S&T interventions such the use of quality planting materials, application of organic fertilizer before the onset of rainy season and just after harvesting, pruning and rejuvenation, irrigation during the dry season, management of insect pests and diseases, harvesting only of red berries and adaption of wet processing method for Coffee green bean coupled with capability building increased the yield and improved the quality of Green coffee beans from 25% to only 5% losses during postharvest. In addition, there was increased in yield of coffee green from 269 g/ tree under the traditional practice compared to the average mean yield of 602.8 g/ tree or about more than 100% increase through the 35 partner coffee growers. Likewise, the conduct of promotional activities such as technology field days and coffee farm tour motivated and encouraged at least 55 new coffee growers to expand their farm aside from the 886 existing coffee bearing trees and about 8,576 newly trees planted within a span of one (1) year with the project.
The S&T on Arabica coffee production has motivated the active participation of the cooperators which led to the improvement of the farming communities based on the following: organized and established the Sagada Arabica Coffee Green Processors Organization which was registered with DOLE; easy access to funding paving the way for the construction of Sagada Coffee Center in the early part of 2015; granting a loan in the amount of Php500,000.00 (DA- CHARMP) for coffee tree expansion and for the operations of the center; standard Arabica Coffee Green processing system in place, establishment of two (2) private nurseries; expansion of coffee farms; and two (2) cooperators were selected as ‘Farmer Technicians’ on Arabica coffee production in CAR by DAR- CAR for the Agrarian reform Communities.
