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Sustainability
Satellite buying stations benefit
coffee farmers
November 2, 2006 • Manila Bulletin
One of the smartest moves of the country's leading coffee
maker was the establishment of satellite buying stations for
green coffee beans some 20 years ago, enabling small as well
as large scale coffee growers to sell their harvest at prevailing
world market prices.
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the buying stations,
official of Nestlé Philippines Inc. (NPI), the makers
of leading coffee brand Nescafé, recently gathered
with coffee farmers and traders in the cities of Davao and
Tagum in Davao del Sur.
The first stage of the two-part celebration was held at the
Nestle Satellite Buying Stations in Davao City. This was where
the first buying station outside Nestlé's Alabang and
Cagayan de Oro factories were established in 1986. To cap
the anniversary, a fiesta celebration was also held at the
Nestlé Experimental and Demonstration Farm (NEDF) in
Tagum City.
Through the past 20 years, these satellite buying stations
were set up in key coffee-producing areas throughout the Philippines
to give coffee farmers the opportunity to sell their crops
at prevailing world market prices, as well as provide easier
access to Nestlé, the country's leading coffee buyer.
The celebration was highlighted by the symbolic delivery
of coffee beans by farmers Maximo and Gina Lamoste to NPI
President Nandu Nandkishore. The morning celebration extended
to a fiesta-style buffet lunch and farm tour of the NEDF where
the guests were treated to musical performances by the Tagum
National Comprehensive High School Rondalla and cultural dance
numbers by the University of Mindanao-Tagum Dance Troupe.
The Nestlé satellite buying stations have contributed
much to building and nurturing our partnership with Filipino
coffee farmers through the years," Said Nandkishore in
his welcome speech. "It has created direct access between
the farmers and Nescafé, which has resulted in long
term benefits for all parties concerned."
Nandkishore reiterated Nescafé's commitment to the
Filipino farmers by ensuring "a long term partnership
with mutual viability": through innovative grassroots
programs such as the Direct Procurement System, NEDF and Sustainable
Agriculture Initiative of Nestlé (SAIN), a worldwide
agricultural campaign that promotes coffee-based sustainable
farming system, among other programs.
Meanwhile, NPI Business Executive Manager for coffee Bruno
Olierhoek thanked the farmers for playing an important part
in producing high quality beans which he described as "the
essence of Nescafé."
Olierhoek stressed the importance of continued cooperation
in order to further strengthen coffee farming as a viable
and sustainable proposition for the farmers. "We have
to manage this good chain in the production of coffee, and
make sure that every party in the chain sees sustainable development"
he added.
Also present during the event were, Atty. Mabini Antonio,
head of Nestlé Corporate Affairs; Queenie Phan, head
of Nestlé Purchasing department; Joel Lumagbas, head
of Nestlé agricultural services; Paolo Javier, representative
of Cong. Ezequiel Javier; Conrado C. Baluran, Davao City councilor
and chairman of its Agricultural committee and Raama Rivas
of Campostela Valley, Atty. Edwin Leuterio of Davao del Norte
and Dr. Dante Eugenio of Sultan Kudarat - all coffee farmers
and top suppliers green coffee beans to Nescafé.
Since 1986, Filipino coffee farmers have enjoyed fair and
transparent grading of their produce and are offered price
in line with world market prices.
Transactions in all Nestlé satellite buying stations
are efficient and impartial. Independent farmers with just
one sack of coffee to larger operations with truckloads of
coffee are guaranteed payment within only eight hours after
delivery.
Currently, Nestlé operates 11 satellite buying stations,
strategically placed in proximity to areas with a high density
of coffee farmers, local banking facilities and sound peace
and order situation. They can be found in Davao, Iloilo, Isabela,
Zamboanga, Cotabato, Agusan del Sur, Palawan, Tuguegarao,
Solano, Bacolod, Bohol, Calamba, Alabang and Cavite.
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