1st WV CoCa Summit unites industry stakeholders in Iloilo City

Aiming to address challenges facing the industry and explore future opportunities, the first Western Visayas Coffee and Cacao Summit brought together around 150 stakeholders ground-breaking for the region’s coffee and cacao industries on August 9 in Iloilo City, under the theme, “Coca Summit: Combating the Challenges of Times.” 

Panay Organic Producers Association (POPA) Agriculture Cooperative Chairman Dr. Louie Tirador emphasized the summit’s role in uniting industry players to address pressing challenges and future opportunities.

Meanwhile, DA-WV Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Zarlina Cuello delivered a message of solidarity from the DA, highlighting the importance of private sector collaboration in driving the industry forward. “It is a distinct honor to be here with our private sector partners in the coffee and cacao industries. The DA-WV is fully committed to supporting the plans and projects that will help our region meet national targets and overcome the challenges we face in the industry,” RTD Cuello remarked.

On the other hand, RAFC 6 Chair Engr. Buen Mondejar, stressed the importance of collective action in addressing the region’s supply challenges.  “This summit is an example of what we can achieve through convergence. The RAFC 6, with support from DTI, DA, and other civil society organizations, initiated this event to confront the pressing issue of supply shortages in cacao and coffee. We must adopt new technologies and expand our farming capacities to meet demand,” Engr. Mondejar urged. He also highlighted the impact of the recent El Niño on production, calling for innovative solutions during the breakout sessions to bolster the industry.

During the plenary session, DA-Western Visayas Cacao Focal Person Relvin Paragua discussed insights from his recent expertise exchange program in Belgium, which he attended earlier this year. Paragua described the techniques and sustainable practices he witnessed, emphasizing how they may be used to develop the chocolate sector in Western Visayas. “The experience in Belgium was eye-opening,” Paragua explained. “Their methods for sustainable farming and quality control provide a model we can follow to raise our production standards. By adopting these practices, we can make our cacao products more competitive in the global market.”

In addition, Paragua shared that in 2025 the European Union (EU) will be implementing the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) aiming to combat global deforestation and promote sustainable supply chains. He also added that the EU is stepping up its efforts to end child labor in the global supply chains.

Following Paragua’s presentation, RAFC XI sector representative on international trade and the President and Founder of Zafi Coffee Angela Zafico, discussed the current status and future prospects of the coffee sector.  Zafico provided a detailed assessment of the global coffee market trends and their implications for local producers. She also shared her experiences in scaling a coffee business from a regional player to an internationally recognized brand.

The plenary session concluded with an engaging discussion, allowing stakeholders from Western Visayas to voice their concerns and offer suggestions and recommendations for the industry, highlighting their commitment to address the challenges and seize the opportunities in the coffee and cacao sectors.

The CoCa Summit was organized by the Panay Organic Producers Association (POPA) Agriculture Cooperative, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture – Western Visayas (DA-WV) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). # # (Text and Photos by: MSSubang/DA-RAFIS 6)