World Bank (WB) representatives have evaluated and subsequently commended a coffee processing and trading project funded by the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) in Cavite province.
In an interview on Thursday, Engr. Redelliza Gruezo, the project’s director, said this recognition will promote the good practices of the Café Amadeo Development Cooperative to be replicated in similar projects elsewhere in the country.
“The World Bank’s recognition of the coffee industry promotion project is a big deal. Now that the World Bank has seen their success, with the assistance and support of the DA, it may result in more meaningful and effective interventions to further develop the coffee industry in the country,” she said.
The WB delegation visited the project last June 5 to discuss the operation and management of the cooperative, its partners in project development, and the coffee industry in Amadeo town.
Among the matters discussed are the coffee processing facility, the blended coffee production process, and the value chain of the coffee industry in the country.
Gruezo said the collaboration of DA-PRDP, the Department of Agriculture in Calabarzon (DA-4A), local government units (LGUs), and the cooperative focused on enhancing the knowledge and skills of coffee growers through technical guidance, continuous provision of materials for production, guidance on land conversion policies, enterprise diversification, and increasing local coffee production.
Gruezo, who is also the Regional Technical Director for Operations of DA-4A, said the recognition from WB will further strengthen the collaboration of interested agencies in using appropriate and innovative methods towards the development of the agriculture and fisheries sector in the region.
Café Amadeo Development Cooperative general manager Agnes Madlansacay thanked the DA and the Department of Industry for the support they provided to the project.
“We can learn to refer to agencies like the DA to be taught the correct process and be given the proper help; they have what is applicable to whatever the needs of each coffee farmer,” said Madlansacay.
Meanwhile, World Bank Co-Task Team Leader Maria Theresa Quiñones said this model project is a “sign of the trust and cooperation of the World Bank, DA, and the cooperative to develop the lives of coffee farmers and strengthen the industry.”
The Cavite Coffee Processing and Trading is one of the most successful DA-PRDP projects in the country as it aims to grow one of the main livelihoods of the locals, according to the World Bank. The delegates also gave advice and good methods that are being done in their respective countries that can also be implemented in the current project. (PNA)
