JICA Helps Boost Philippine Coffee Industry

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Philippines Office has reinforced its commitment to supporting the Philippine coffee industry and its contribution to community and national development.

JICA has long supported the Philippine coffee industry, including its farmers and communities.

JICA recently hosted its first Non-Government Organization (NGO) Seminar since the pandemic, bringing together Japanese professionals, students, and coffee enthusiasts to discuss global challenges and opportunities in the coffee sector.

Key speakers included:

• Sorimachi Mariko, founder of Cordillera Green Network, who spoke on forest conservation through sustainable coffee farming.

• Ota Katsuhisa, president of Pistacia Mindanao Coffee Export (PMCE, Inc.), who shared insights into his coffee business journey in the Philippines.

• Suzuki Makoto, barista from Fresh Roaster Coffee Tonya, who provided participants with expertly prepared coffee samples.

  
  

In 2024, JICA and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) turned over ₱114 million worth of agroforestry support facilities and a coffee processing facility to local government units (LGUs) and people’s organizations (POs) in Iloilo province.

In 2023, JICA and DENR also built a ₱5.8 million coffee processing facility for the Kalanguyan tribe in Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya, promoting local economy growth and forest conservation.

The Philippines is the second-largest coffee consumer in Asia, importing 214,000 metric tons annually due to low domestic production (68,800 metric tons). With JICA-supported coffee processing facilities, local farmer-beneficiaries are expected to significantly contribute to domestic coffee supply and economic growth.