NorMin coffee growers prevail in 2025 Phl coffee quality competition

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Entities engaged in the farming of Arabica, Robusta and Excelsa coffee from Northern Mindanao triumphed in the recently concluded Philippine Coffee Quality Competition (PCQC), held at One Ayala Mall in Makati, with entries from the provinces of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental cited as among the country’s finest specialty coffees while others receiving special awards.

Organized with support from the government, the private sector, and donor-funded projects, the PCQC is an annual national competition that highlights the best of Philippine coffee to the domestic and global markets alike. It pinpoints exceptional quality coffee and provides farmer-producers a platform to access and penetrate higher-value markets.

As support to enhance the production and processing of coffee among farmers, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) for its part has extended programs, projects and initiatives to coffee-based farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs) and individual growers, encouraging producers to develop quality coffee which can compete locally and with international brands, to increase the promotion of patronizing local coffee, and importantly, to augment farmers’ productivity and income.

Interventions range from the provision of inputs, technical assistance, production and postharvest facilities, and market linkages courtesy from the agency’s banner program through the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), special projects such as the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) and the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP), and the department’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD).

NorMin winners and those with special citations, with some who have managed to avail assistance from the department are the following:

ARABICA CATEGORY (Estate Farm – with farm size of 5.1 hectares and above)

Manolito Garces
Finca De Garces (Pangantucan, Bukidnon)
Top 1
Caramel, Floral, Nutty, Orange Peel Acidity, Tea-like Finish

Adeline Tarino
Daraghuyan Ancestral Domain (Malaybalay City, Bukidnon)
Top 2
Floral, Banana, Caramel, Lemon Candy Sweetness, Grapefruit Acidity

ARABICA CATEGORY (Smallholder Farm – with farm size of 1-5 hectares)

Maynard Joseph Garces
Granja Alegre (Pangantucan, Bukidnon)
Top 4
(Brown Spice, Black Dried Fruit and Sweet Finish)

Carmelino Debalde
Milalittra Farmers Agri Coop (Talakag, Bukidnon)
Top 8
(Brown Sugar, Black Tea, Citrus Fruit Acidity)

Fernando Enecito
Milalittra Farmers Agri Coop (Talakag, Bukidnon)
Top 9
(Brown Spice, Chocolate, Floral, Tea-like body)

Jocelyn Sulatan
Milalittra Farmers Agri Coop (Talakag, Bukidnon)
Top 10
Best Arabica Honey Process

Regino Omarol
Inhandig Tribal MPC (Malaybalay City, Bukidnon)
Top 11
(Floral Roasted Peanuts, Tropical Fruits)

SPECIAL AWARDS

Jose C. del Fierro (Claveria, Misamis Oriental)
Excelsa Citation
Oldest Farmer-Participant
Dark Chocolate, Fruity, Lemon and Lime

Corazon Llauderes
Impalutao Dalwangan Sawaga ARC (Malaybalay City, Bukidnon)
Experimental Coffee Citation (Arabica)
Roasted Nuts, Chocolate, Black Tea

Carlo Casenillas
Bayanihan Millenium MPC (Pangantucan, Bukidnon)
Experimental Coffee Citation (Arabica)
Black Tea, Chocolate, Nutty

Not only the contest winners have showcased their coffee to specialty buyers, but they also have the opportunity to be featured in an auction ensuing the competition.# (JLO)