LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Philippines - Arabica coffee, which is organically grown in different parts of the Cordillera, is ready to conquer the world market and is now fast gaining a reputation among coffee lovers as the most aromatic. Experts here claimed Arabica coffee is considered as having the best flavor and aroma, helping strengthen local coffee production to serve as a major industry. The claims of Arabica coffee from Cordillera as one of the world's best coffee came after the Canadian-based Rocky Mountain Coffee forged an agreement with the Benguet State University (BSU) for the mass production and marketing of the coffee variety. Under the agreement, the institution plans to plant the whole stretch of the Balili river with coffee over two years so that it will also contribute in the efforts to preserve and protect the river system from dying due to massive pollution.
The agreement also provides for the planting of a 60-hectare land area within Camp John Hay (CJH) to Arabica coffee so that there will be a consistent supply of the coffee bean for mass commercial production for the international market. At the same time, BSU is establishing Arabica coffee plantations in the towns of Tuba and Atok in partnership with the local governments for wider production. Arabica coffee being produced in the province has been certified by the International Certification Board as organically produced and it took sometime before the Canadian-based company learned about it. The foreign coffee company will be providing the appropriate marketing linkage and the technical capability for local producers while BSU will be providing the areas where mass production of the coffee will be done to ensure sustainable supply.
