Local coffee farmers gained practical and scientific knowledge to strengthen sustainable coffee production following a two-day Coffee Farmers Training held on October 22–23, 2025, at Sitio Tanawan, Barangay Panaytayan, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro.
With the theme “From Mentors to Communities – Cascading Knowledge to Build Resilient Coffee Futures,” the training aimed to transfer the expertise of coffee mentors from a previous Training of Trainers program to members of SAMAKA (Samahan ng Magsasakang Katutubo ng Kape, Niyog, at Kakaw), beneficiaries of the AWATI-TI KAPE Community Development Program, and representatives from the Municipal Government of Mansalay.
The initiative was spearheaded by the National Coffee Research, Development and Extension Center of Cavite State University under the project Enhancing the Coffee Food Value Chain Through Smart Technologies and Partnerships Towards Food Resiliency in CALABARZON and MIMAROPA (CFVC Phase II), in partnership with Mindoro State University – Bongabong Campus.
Participants attended technical sessions covering coffee varietal identification, nursery establishment and seedling propagation, farm establishment, proper harvesting, post-harvest handling and processing, and regenerative coffee farm care and maintenance. Hands-on demonstrations on rejuvenation, grafting, and pruning further reinforced the training, led by MinSU experts Dr. Mary Jane P. Herrera and Mr. Jared M. Melendres, together with Hanunuo coffee farmers and SAMAKA officials Pastor Danny Ayupad and Pastor Garcia Ganyuan.
The activity concluded with an awarding ceremony recognizing speakers, participants, and partner institutions for their contributions to the program’s success.
Organizers emphasized that the collaborative training has equipped Mansalay coffee farmers with updated skills and knowledge needed to cultivate resilient coffee farms, strengthen livelihoods, and contribute to the continued growth of the local coffee industry—highlighting the value of partnerships, mentorship, and community-driven initiatives in advancing a sustainable coffee future for MIMAROPA.
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