City of San Fernando, Pampanga — The Department of Agriculture Central Luzon through its High Value Crops Development Program is seeking to boost the production of coffee and cacao in the region during a meeting at the Diosdado Macapagal Government Center, Maimpis this week.

The Coffee and Cacao Stakeholders Meeting was participated by key players of the coffee and cacao sector such as farmers, provincial coordinators and other stakeholders aimed to provide them an opportunity to share their knowledge, experiences, and processes that will help the coffee and cacao industry.

Regional HVCDP Focal Person Engr. AB P. David said during his opening remarks that he hopes there will be a concrete plan and identify the gaps shown in the presentation.

A presentation regarding the current situation of the coffee and cacao industry in the region was shown, including valuable information regarding coffee and cacao production. Agriculturist II Glarissa Balbarez of the HVCDP and chief statistical specialist Arlene Torrico of the Philippine Statistics Authority Region 3 led the presentation.

The presentation showed the primary aspects of the industry such as production, marketing and the challenges faced by the stakeholders and provided a clear picture to stakeholders regarding the current situation of the industry.

Philippine Rural Development Project I-PLAN Component Planning Officer Maria Lourdes Maglanque also presented the Coffee and Cacao Value Chain Map that shows the whole system or process of the industry starting from the production up to the consumers. The map has helped stakeholders to fully understand the whole system of the industry.

An agreement was made, including a discussion regarding the plans for a better future for the coffee and cacao industry in the region.

The stakeholders showed their determination to help each other to achieve the goals of the industry, improve the livelihood of the farmers, ensure the quality of the products, and help boost the economy.