TESDA commits to upskill more PH coffee farmers

October 14, 2022

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has expressed its commitment to further improving the skills of the country’s coffee farmers and the coffee industry in general.

During the two-day Coffee Expo Manila 2022 last Oct. 2, Deputy Director General Aniceto D. Bertiz III, represented by TESDA Women’s Center (TWC) Chief Angelica Gonzales, said that TESDA has programs intended to boost the country’s coffee industry.

“TESDA is actively converging with other government agencies and the private companies in advocating and championing the various sub-sectors of the agriculture-fishery sector,” he said.

“TESDA will continue to collaborate with the various stakeholders and industries for the continuous development and improvement of our programs and services for the Filipino workers’ better tomorrow,” he added.

The Coffee Expo Manila 2022 aims to gain access to entrepreneurs, decision-makers and buyers in the Philippine Coffee Industry and in the ASEAN Region and provide a platform that will bring in solutions, show what’s new and provide learnings to advance further their coffee, cacao, tea, and bakery business.

In response to the challenges that coffee farmers are facing, Bertiz shared that TESDA, together with stakeholders, has developed various training regulations, such as Coffee Production Level II and Coffee Nursery Operation Level II.

The Coffee Production Level II training runs for at least 176 hours or 22 days while the Coffee Nursery Operation Level II training runs for at least 270 hours or 34 days.

According to him, these courses are being offered in eight training institutions located in Benguet, Mt. Province, Cagayan, Bukidnon, and Sultan Kudarat.

Likewise, Bertiz said that TESDA has forged a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Nestle Philippines to help coffee farmers, specifically in Sultan Kudarat and Bukidnon, to increase their yields and to have a more sustainable livelihood.

Under the partnership, which started mid-2021, TESDA and Nestle Philippines has already upskilled 703 coffee farmers in Bukidnon and Sultan Kudarat. (30)