December 11, 2023 | In an enriching endeavor, the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) conducted a Learning Exchange Visit at the Montañosa Coffee Center, accommodating representatives from four distinguished cooperatives namely Hojap Multipurpose Cooperative of Ifugao, Dupligan Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative of Kalinga, Benguet Arabica Coffee Enterprise and Bagnen-Balintaugan Timpuyog Credit Cooperative of Mountain Province. The engagement focused on exploring the role of Cupping and the operations of the Cupping Laboratory. The objective of this initiative was to gain insights into the Cupping Laboratory and its operations.
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Additionally, the visit aimed to learn from best practices in coffee farming, understand the enterprise components of the organizations visited, and gather strategies for better organizational management at Sagada Roastery, Hojap Cooperative in Ifugao, and QRS Farms in Kalinga. The visit to the Montañosa Coffee Center aligns with Sustainable Development Goals related to poverty alleviation, economic growth, responsible consumption and production, and partnerships.
The participants introduced themselves, and key personnel from the Montañosa Coffee Center welcomed them. The MCC team provided a brief history of the center, and Mr. Tawanna discussed the role of Cupping and the Cupping Laboratory in determining coffee quality. Subsequently, an engaging question-and-answer session also took place, allowing participants to share their inquiries and perspectives on the coffee value chain.
The visit ended with an immersive tour of the MCC facilities, providing a close-up experience of the Cupping Laboratory and the Roasting Area. The sharing of knowledge, insights, and collaborative spirit during this exchange holds the promise of enriching the efforts of these cooperatives, with the hope that they have gained valuable insights for their coffee cultivation and business.
