More coffee in Kalinga expected with AGSAMA KAPE program; international collaboration signed

Tabuk City, Kalinga – With ongoing initiatives to strengthen the coffee sector, iKalinga coffee farmers are one of those expected to reap the rewards of a promising international collaboration among the Province of Kalinga, Kalinga State University, Gawidan mallin-Awaan Marketing Cooperative, and SOCODEVI.

Coffee production is one of the major livelihood in the province for many local farmers, especially in the upland areas, as it supports cooperatives, provides jobs and generates income, and thus the recent event gives hope to many coffee farmers.

Held at the new conference hall on October 7, a memorandum of understanding and agreement signing was held through the program AGSAMA KAPE: Partnership Contract Signing of SOCODEVI with KPLGU led by Governor James S. Edduba, Kalinga State University, and Gawidan mallin-Awaan Marketing Cooperative.

SOCODEVI is a prestigious and highly respected organization, especially in the field of international development and cooperative enterprise—a nonprofit organization that contributes to improving the living conditions of communities by supporting sustainable and inclusive cooperative and mutual enterprises around the world.

The said project is supported by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada.

Before the signing, each of the representatives engaged in a dialogue, where they shared their vision for the new partnership to which Edduba shared the importance of coffee to the iKalingas.

“Coffee is important here in our province, every time we have visitors we welcome them through coffee as we don’t have a word for welcome. We just say “ag kape tayo pay”, said Edduba.

The signing ceremony was attended by provincial stakeholders led by Governor Edduba, IPMR Michael Karel B. Sugguiyao, GMMC General Manager Medardo Bayubay, KSU President Dr. Joy Grace Puday-Doctor, and Head of Cooperation of the Embassy of Canada to the Philippines Simon Snoxell.

With this partnership the Province of Kalinga hopes that the coffee industry will again thrive.