Coffee industry cluster now include Central Visayas, Negros Island Region

CEBU, Philippines - Central Visayas and the newly-created Negros Island Region have enrolled this year in the industry cluster that seeks to revive the Philippine coffee industry.

Industry clustering, according to the Department of Trade and Industry, is a strategy in developing various industries.

CV provinces Bohol and Cebu and Negros Oriental and Occidental are now part of the coffee industry cluster. A total of 13 Philippine regions and 38 provinces are now enrolled in the cluster.

The DTI has identified six priority industry clusters – mostly agri-based – namely coffee, cacao, rubber, coco coir, processed fruits and nuts and tourism under its industry clustering program.

"We are developing these agri-based industries as a tool to create jobs to raise incomes of the poor thus reduce poverty and achieve inclusive growth," said Nelia Navarro, assistant regional director of DTI in Region 7.

The trade department said industry clustering will be continued this year.

The DTI seeks to improve the productivity and quality of coffee grown in the country, increase sales in both domestic and export markets and promote investments in the coffee value chain.

Sought for comment, Gerry Avila, agribusiness chief of the Department of Agriculture-7, told The FREEMAN yesterday that investments in post-production facilities are needed to boost the competitiveness of coffee.

While coffee production is mostly concentrated in Negros Oriental, Avila believed that Cebu is a potential for production.  — (FREEMAN)