Western Visayas hosts first coffee and cacao summit

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC), and the Philippine Office for Agricultural Policy (POPA) held the first-ever Western Visayas Coffee and Cacao Summit on August 10, 2024, in Iloilo City.

The event, themed “COCA Summit: Combating the Challenges of Times,” brought together key stakeholders from the coffee and cacao industries to address the pressing challenges posed by climate change and economic sustainability.

The summit convened industry leaders, farmers, researchers, and policymakers to discuss innovative strategies aimed at boosting production and ensuring the long-term viability of the region’s coffee and cacao sectors.

With climate change increasingly impacting agricultural productivity, the need for collaborative efforts to mitigate its effects has never been more urgent.

DTI Iloilo Provincial Director Ma. Dinda R. Tamayo, who also serves as the Cacao Regional Industry Cluster Coordinator, highlighted the importance of inter-agency cooperation in her message of support.

“The Department of Trade and Industry, together with the Department of Agriculture and other stakeholders, must work hand in hand to overcome the challenges facing our coffee and cacao industries,” Tamayo emphasized.

The summit focused on finding solutions to the current issues plaguing the coffee and cacao industries, such as climate change disruptions and the need for increased production.

The discussions are expected to lead to the development of more sustainable programs that will support the growth of these critical sectors.

The COCA Summit marks the beginning of a concerted effort to craft and implement innovative programs aimed at ensuring the sustainability and growth of the coffee and cacao industries in Western Visayas.

This event is seen as a crucial step toward addressing the challenges that local producers face, and it sets the stage for future collaborations and initiatives that will help secure the region’s position as a significant player in the global coffee and cacao markets.