Sulu strengthens coffee industry

SULU – Governor Sakur Tan has pledged to support the local coffee farmers in an effort to further strengthen the industry in the province which supplies organic coffee cherries to various buyers across the country.

The province is popularly known for its coffee industry because of the high quality Arabica and Robusta beans it produces. Tan also donated a hand tractor and fencing wires to the Sulu Coffee Industry Federation and he committed to provide it with a variety of coffee seedlings to add to its productions – Arabica, Robusta, Excelsa, and Liberica which have radically different taste profiles. 

A provincial government photo shows Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan posing with officers of the Sulu Coffee IndustryFederation led by its secretary, Abdurajik Darusalam. On the extreme right is Provincial Engineer Abdurasad Baih. 

Abdurajik Darusalam, Secretary of the Sulu Coffee Industry Federation, said they are now targeting to plant more varieties of coffee beans in 250 hectares of agricultural lands in the next five years. He said they have also established two pilot coffee farms in the towns of Talipao and two more in Indanan town. 

“We want to strengthen the local coffee industry by improving quality, increase productivity and train more farmers and provide livelihood to many people, and help the economy and promote good quality Kahawa Sug (Sulu coffee),” he said. 

Abdurajik said they plan to invest and expand its post-harvest facilities to improve production output. He also thanked Tan for his strong support and donations to the coffee industry. “Governor Tan is very supportive of the coffee industry and we thanked him for all his support to us,” he said. 

A provincial government photo shows Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan during a meeting with officers of the Sulu Coffee IndustryFederation led by its secretary, Abdurajik Darusalam. Tan vows to support coffee farmers in the province which is a major supplier of coffee cherries in the country.

Tan previously launched a coffee processing center in an effort to boost coffee production and eventually helped local cooperatives as part of a massive agricultural program that aims to provide additional livelihoods to farmers. 

He said Sulu is one of the major producers of high quality coffee beans - Arabica and Robusta - and is the most sought after not only in the Philippines, but other Asian and European countries as well because of its distinct aroma and flavor. 

Tan urged farmers and fishermen to form themselves into cooperatives and avail of the many various projects of the provincial government, adding he would also build a school, which would specialize in agriculture and fisheries and offer free education to all in the province. (Mindanao Examiner)