The coffee industry in Batangas has taken a major blow from the COVID-19 pandemic and eruption of the Taal Volcano. Now, the province is taking the next steps to cement Batangas' reputation as the Philippines’ "Kapeng Barako Capital."
Dr. Rod Bautista, the Provincial Agriculturist, said these next steps involve rejuvenating and rehabilitating old coffee trees and planting new ones.
The goal is to restore the land converted for other industries back to coffee farming, leveraging Batangas' reputation for quality coffee.
Bautista said that despite increased production following the pandemic and eruption, the province still falls short of the needed coffee supply.
“Para nga muli nating buhayin yung enterprise ng pagka-kape. Nakikita natin nagsusulputan yung mga coffee shop, so sasamantalahin natin iyan, kaya nga magkakaroon tayo ng isang resolution para magkaroon ng technical working group na magtatrabaho para paunlarin ang industriya ng kape sa lalawigan. Hindi natin papayagan na mawala yung pagkilala sa atin,” Bautista said.
Antonio Mojares, 76, a coffee grower from Barangay Lodlod in Lipa City, said he was forced to sell partially owing to the challenges in coffee production.
He reportedly could not meet the high demand from customers despite the farm's abundant coffee harvest.
“Ako'y napapaiyak, sa pagmamahal ko doon sa aking mga kapeng pinaghirapan, ay ang dami pa naman noon. Kaya pa naman ako nakilala dito sa buong Lipa dahil na nga doon sa aking tanim na Kapeng Barako,” Mojares said.
The Technical Working Group (TWG) of the provincial government said it plans to establish a 'Collective Mark' for the province.
“Ang isang objective namin dito sa Technical Working Group, [ay] magkaroon ng pagkilala una muna sa kapeng Barako, at the same time, kapag nakilala nila, alam na nila ang itatanim nila,” Arnold Malbataan, chairperson of the Batangas Coffee Farmer Federation, said.
“Kahit saan ka pumunta, Kapeng Barako signifies the Batangueños, it will not resignify the other provinces. Nakatatak na ito eh. Kapag sinabing kapeng Pilipino, Kapeng Barako,” he added.
COFFEE FESTIVAL
To celebrate and recognize the coffee industry in the province, a Coffee Festival is set for October 2024.
The festival will aim to encourage participation from the youth, coffee growers, and coffee shop owners to strengthen and revive the coffee industry in the province.
