Bringing the Farm to Your Cup: Benguet-CAR Coffee Course and Advocacy

Warm cups, gentle conversations, and an invigorating aroma—these are the things that make a good coffee experience. And behind every cup of coffee, a whole process goes into it. From planting, growing, cultivating, harvesting, processing, and roasting to brewing and serving, the journey from seed to cup is not an easy one.

But what if your cup of coffee could also help support local farmers and promote sustainable farming practices? The Coffee Production Level 2: Scholarship under the TESDA  program in Benguet is making this possible by providing education and training for Filipinos to become skilled coffee farmers, processors, and baristas.

Three batches of students have already successfully completed the program, with the majority being the youth. Graduation ceremonies will be held on January 26th, 2023, at Philippine Nazarene College in Baguio City.

What Is The Benguet-CAR Coffee Course About?

As the first to offer this program nationwide, Philippine Nazarene College (PNC) in Benguet has partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to provide a coffee training courses for aspiring coffee farmers. The TESDA coffee course covers the entire process from farming to café operations, ensuring that students are well-equipped to handle all aspects of coffee production.

One of the main goals of this program is to promote sustainable and ethical practices among local coffee farmers. The program hopes to cultivate a culture of abundance and support for local coffee production by equipping students with the necessary knowledge and skills.

How Did It All Begin?

The coffee course program was established through the collaboration of Farm To Cup and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). The aim is to provide a holistic approach in coffee production— starting from nursery, seedling production, coffee farming and processing to cafe operations and management.

Farm To Cup founder Edgardo Natividad shared in an interview with PhilSTAR L!fe that the program has produced skilled individuals and inspired its graduates to pursue their own coffee shops and small-scale farms.

Apart from TESDA, Farm To Cup also partners with other organizations, such as ACDI/VOCA, through its Philippine Coffee Advancement and Farm Enterprise (PhilCAFE) program for training and capacity building.

The Impact Of The TESDA Coffee Program

The program not only provides education and training for the youth, but it also helps support coffee farming communities in Benguet and other parts of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). By promoting sustainable farming practices and supporting local farmers, the program aims to contribute to the growth of the Philippine coffee industry.

Aside from this, graduates of the program also have the opportunity to start their own coffee farms and businesses, promoting entrepreneurship among young Filipinos. This creates a ripple effect of economic growth and development in the local communities.

A Proud Benguet-CAR Product

Benguet and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) are known for their high-quality Arabica coffee. With the Benguet-CAR Coffee Course, more local farmers will be trained to produce this prized commodity and continue the region’s legacy in the global coffee industry.

But above all, this program also aims to empower local communities by providing sustainable livelihood opportunities. Through education and training, the program hopes to nurture more coffee farmers who will continue to uphold the proud tradition of Philippine coffee production.

Looking Towards A Bright Future

With the success of the TESDA Coffee Program in Benguet, there are plans to expand and offer it in other regions as well. This will support local coffee production and provide more opportunities for young Filipinos to learn about sustainable farming practices and entrepreneurship.

So, the next time you savor your cup of coffee, remember that you can help support local coffee farmers and promote sustainable farming practices by choosing to enjoy a cup of Benguet-CAR coffee.

Let’s continue to nurture our local coffee industry, one cup at a time.