Growers and Grocers

An old Filipino proverb said, “There’s nothing that can’t be settled over a hot cup of coffee.” These words of wisdom are now proven true when former leaders of a Philippine government military unit and a communist rebel group set aside their differences to unite their village in an effort to rehabilitate the coffee plantation that their town was once known for, and, in the process, save the forest that is slowly disappearing from their backyard.

Mayor Alfonso Gamboa of EB Magalona, Negros Occidental brought together rebel leader Morlito Isidro of the New People’s Army (NPA) and Fernando Porras of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Team and impressed upon them the feasibility of working together for a common goal, that is to lead their village, Barangay Canlusong, in improving their livelihood.

From 1970 to 1986, the production of coffee in Barangay Canlusong was abundant but the companies that bought coffee from the villagers shifted to importation in the mid-80s and prices plummeted.

Coffee fields were then abandoned for more lucrative industries such as charcoal-making. Some resorted to poaching and logging, which threatened endangered animals like the Negros spotted deer, warty pigs, Golden Crown and Flying Fox bats. Others joined the opposing sides - government or rebel groups, dividing the village.

A strong environmental advocate, Gamboa convinced villagers to rekindle efforts to farm organic coffee after studying the economic advantages of each barangay in his town. Gamboa says that “while it is important to protect the environment”, he knows that convincing his people to help preserve the forest will not be easy unless the people can also profit from the effort.

To emphasize the viability of rehabilitating the old coffee farms, Mayor Gamboa brought the two leaders of Canlusong to Cebu City and allowed them to see and experience for themselves the popularity of producing organic coffee. A trip to Starbucks and a trip to Bo’s Coffee Club, a local chain, highlighted the profitability of the proposed venture.

Morlito says:

“Starbucks coffee is so expensive, yet the Canlusong coffee is far more superior.”

Today, the former enemies are working together planning the revival of the coffee industry in their small town. With 295 hectares of land with a capacity for 900 coffee trees per hectare, Canlusong is well on its way to being able to supply 1% of the coffee needs of the Philippines using organic methods and stand to profit well due to signed fair trade agreements.

In support to the local farmers, Nestle Philippines is offering free training and technical assistance to those who are interested in planting coffee and jatropha. The beverage giant is promoting intercropping of jatropha, an alternative fuel source, with robusta coffee trees. Jatropha starts earning in the first year, increasing profits for the farmers, while coffee trees needs to mature for 2-5 years, depending on the variety, before it starts bearing fruit. Nestle is known for being one of the biggest buyers of local robusta beans.

Currently, the Philippines imports more than 50% of its coffee consumption annually. During the Spanish regime, the Philippines was the 4th largest exporter of coffee beans in the world until coffee rust wiped out plantations all over the country.