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The NESCAFÉ Plan: Training the next generation of coffee farmers

Training youth coffee farmers

Coffee production in the country has faced a decline in recent years. As such, it is imperative to recognize and harness the potential of youth coffee farmers now more than ever to boost production and keep the Philippine coffee industry alive and flourishing for many years to come.

True to its commitment to uplift the lives of Filipino coffee farmers, Nestlé Philippines is helping shape the future generation of local coffee growers. Through the NESCAFÉ Plan, it has provided trainings to youth coffee farmers from major coffee growing areas.

Carlo Casenillas, Youth coffee farmer

“Bilang isang youth coffee farmer, kailangan nating matuto at matrain ng maaga para malaman natin ang tamang paraan upang maimprove ang coffee farming sa ating komunidad,” said Carlo Casenillas, a youth coffee farmer from Bukidnon who received training under the NESCAFÉ Plan.

From the trainings, the farmers learn the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for Coffee that can help them improve their yields and incomes, the latest technologies in coffee production, and important skills to become agripreneurs.

James Mandaputan, youth coffee farmer

By becoming a Project Coffee+ Ambassador under the NESCAFÉ Plan, James Mandaputan was also able to share his learnings to other young farmers in their municipality. “Five to ten years from now, ang goal ko ay maging isang successful coffee farmer para maging model ang farm ko hindi lang sa Pangantucan kundi sa buong Bukidnon,” he said.

Pilar Cardente, youth coffee farmer

Pilar Cardente, a fellow youth coffee farmer from Pangantucan, Bukidnon, believes that there is a bright future in coffee farming because of coffee’s higher price per kilo compared to other farm commodities. This is why she aims to improve and develop her farm so that one day she can expand it using the knowledge and skills she learned from NESCAFÉ Plan’s Project Coffee+ Farmer Business School.

Christopher Alcayde, youth coffee farmer

Just like Pilar, Christopher Alcayde sees the great potential in coffee farming and encourages his fellow youth to consider it as a livelihood. “Ang masasabi ko lang sa mga bata: pag nagtanim kayo ng kape, easy work siya kasi hindi mainit sa kapehan. Basta maalagaan lang ng mabuti ang coffee trees, siguradong makakabulto kayo ng income pagdating ng harvest season dahil mas marami ang inyong aanihin,” said Christopher.

Manilyn Dura, youth coffee farmers

Having a ready market like Nestlé for their coffee beans is another reason why youth coffee farmers like Manilyn Dura are motivated to improve their farming skills and knowledge. By attending seminars and training under the NESCAFÉ Plan, she was able to gain more knowledge on sustainable coffee farming and modern coffee growing techniques that will help her become a better farmer.

Ultimately, the future of the coffee industry in the country lies in the hands of these youth coffee farmers. Recognizing this opportunity, Nestlé is committed to show the youth the value of coffee farming in the hopes that more will be encouraged to engage in it. As aforementioned, it is also supporting various youth coffee farmers from Bukidnon, Sultan Kudarat, and other provinces by providing training and a ready market for their harvest so that they can further enhance their livelihood.

Nestlé promotes inclusive and sustainable growth in the coffee sector through the NESCAFÉ Plan that supports responsible coffee farming, production, and consumption.