DTI La Union boosts coffee industry with quality enhancement initiative
SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) La Union continued its quality enhancement initiative to boost the local coffee industry on Feb. 21, focusing on scientific coffee profiling and green grading.
Coffee profiling identifies a bean’s unique flavor, aroma, and quality, while green grading assesses the physical condition of unroasted beans to meet industry standards.
Now on its third year, the training gathered about 20 farmers, cooperatives, and stakeholders from the towns of Bagulin, San Gabriel, and Santol to learn techniques aimed at elevating the quality and market value of their coffee beans.
The one-day event featured blind cupping (coffee tasting), a presentation of cupping scores and flavor profiles, and one-on-one consultations with findings and recommendations from the resource speakers.
Through the initiative, farmers can refine their production methods and meet globally recognized quality standards.
DTI La Union Provincial Director Victoria Ordoño underscored the importance of modernizing traditional practices to boost competitiveness.
“This will open up better market opportunities, ensuring that La Union’s coffee is known for its quality and excellence,” Ordoño explained.
For coffee farmers in Bagulin — a town known for its high-quality coffee — the initiative has been transformative.
Lapicto Bugtong, president of the Baguionas Farmers and Coffee Growers Association, shared how the training has opened new possibilities for their livelihood.
“With better processing techniques, we can now sell at higher prices and compete in bigger markets,” Bugtong stated.
Beyond training, DTI La Union is actively connecting coffee farmers with potential buyers, investors, and specialty coffee markets. This effort strengthens the supply chain, ensures consistent quality, and creates more sustainable income opportunities for farmers.
According to DTI, the three-year program has led to significant improvements in coffee production, including a rise in coffee growers and an increase in high-quality coffee beans.
This initiative aligns with the Bagong Pilipinas vision of inclusive development, where local industries thrive through innovation and support.
With continued investment in quality improvement and capacity-building, La Union’s coffee farmers are poised for greater success, contributing to the province’s economic growth and agricultural sustainability. (CCMT/KJCR/GCP, PIA La Union)
