AT LEAST two successful entrepreneurs shared their inspiring accomplishments in the coffee business sector during the second day of the Yookah Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA) which was organized by the Cordillera Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research and Development (CorCAARRD).
FIESTA is a technology promotion, transfer, and commercialization platform initiated by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
Held at the Kalinga State University in Tabuk City, Kalinga, the conduct of the FIESTA was attended by farmers and aspiring agripreneurs in the province.
CorCAARRD’s Yookah FIESTA is a two-day activity which aims to showcase the gains of research and development (R&D) on native pig and robusta coffee.
Incidentally, CorCAARRD is one of the 16 R&D Consortia of the DOST-PCAARRD.
According to Camilo Degay, owner of Magallaya Mountain Specialty Coffee, he started his business through buying and selling coffee from other farmers, adding that he just sold low class coffee before.
Degay also shared that the different training sessions and seminars conducted by various government agencies helped him improve his business.
Following the knowledge and practical technologies he gained, Degay started buying and selling high-class coffee.
Degay is also a beneficiary of the Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Under the program, he was able to purchase his coffee processing equipment to produce quality coffee.
But in order to improve the packaging of his products, Degay also received packaging assistance from the Department of Trade and Industry.
Aside from producing quality of products, Degay pointed out that it is also important to develop a good relationship with the clients in order to improve his business.
Through his modest enterprise, he was able to contribute to the economy of Kalinga, as well as the livelihood opportunities in the community.
On the other hand, Virginia Sacki, owner of Cafe de Kalinga, also shared her inspiring experience during the program.
According to Sacki, she used to supply coffee to one of the biggest companies involved in promoting health and wellness products.
She added that serving quality coffee is very vital to maintain her business relationships.
With the hope of increasing her business capitalization, she worked overseas as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) from 2003 to 2009.
Following her stint abroad, she went back to the Philippines to continue with her coffee business.
Sacki is also a beneficiary of the DOST’s SETUP program.
She expressed her gratitude to DOST and other government agencies for their assistance in improving her business.
She is also cultivating fruit-trees and vegetables which would help her acquire additional income aside from her coffee business.
To encourage the participants to engage in coffee business, Sacki claimed that there is money in agriculture.
The highlight of the FIESTA included the Farmer-Industry Encounter where farmers, industry, trader representatives, researchers/development workers, and stakeholders have an opportunity to take a look at the various agricultural innovations. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)
