23/03/2026
New initiative strengthens Indigenous coffee communities thru cooperativism, agroforestry, and climate-smart farming
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Indigenous coffee farmers in the Cordillera region and Nueva Vizcaya are taking bold steps toward a sustainable future with the launch of Agsama Kape: Together for Coffee, a six-year initiative aimed at revitalizing the local coffee sector.
Approximately 150 farmers, cooperative leaders, Indigenous community representatives, and government partners will gather in Baguio City for the inaugural Agsama Kape Sustainable Coffee Value Chain Summit, where participants will learn how to improve coffee quality, increase incomes, and build resilient rural economies through a holistic coffee value chain approach.
Despite growing domestic demand, Philippine coffee production has been declining since 2015, leaving nearly 90% of consumption dependent on imports. Small farms, aging trees, low yields, and limited technical support have challenged farmers in the Cordillera and Nueva Vizcaya, yet these regions hold immense potential for high-quality Arabica and Robusta coffee.
The summit will highlight hands-on learning sessions covering every stage of the coffee value chain—from production, harvesting, and post-harvest processing to roasting, marketing and barista. Farmers will explore ripeness-based harvesting, improved fermentation techniques, biodiversity-friendly practices, and traceability systems, all designed to boost quality and profitability.
Agsama Kape reflects the Department of Agriculture’s vision of sustainable agroforestry farm enterprises, where coffee is grown within diversified and climate-resilient farming landscapes,” said Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero.
“By integrating coffee with trees and other crops, farmers can restore productivity on marginal lands, protect biodiversity, and build stronger, more sustainable livelihoods across the coffee value chain,” she added.
Implemented by Socodevi with support from Global Affairs Canada, the initiative leverages global expertise while responding to local realities.
“Across the world, Socodevi’s experience shows that strengthening the coffee value chain and uniting farmers into cooperatives and clusters is key to improving quality, increasing incomes, and fostering resilient rural economies,” said Francois Dionne.
“Yet, Socodevi never imposes solutions—it works hand in hand with local communities, co-creating strategies that honor each country’s unique context and resources,” added Dionne.
“Canada is committed in supporting partnerships that empower farming communities particularly Indigenous communities while promoting sustainable livelihoods, gender equality and climate resilience. Through the Agsama Kape project in partnership with Socodevi, we are investing in stronger cooperatives, climate-smart and resilient agriculture practices, and meaningful opportunities for Indigenous farmers, women, and youth to participate more fully in the coffee economy,” said Vlad Ionescu, First Secretary (Cooperation) of the Embassy of Canada to the Philippines.
With Agsama Kape, Indigenous farmers are not only enhancing the quality and competitiveness of their coffee but also reclaiming their role in the global market while safeguarding their environment. The initiative embodies the Filipino spirit of collaboration - “agsama”, working together - to cultivate a coffee sector that is economically viable, socially inclusive, and environmentally sustainable.
Media contact:
Daniel Maches
Monitoring & Evaluation and Communication Specialist
Socodevi Philippines
+63 917 540 7895
[email protected]
[email protected]
