The provincial government of Batangas is finalizing details of a code of practice to standardize the production of their famous "kapeng barako' or liberica coffee to ensure its quality and preserve the region's coffee industry legacy.
Batangas Office of Provincial Agriculturist head Rod Bautista said the initiative would encourage local farmers to create a collective mark registration with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL). The code of practice will standardize planting coffee trees and harvesting beans while ensuring that DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)---tested seeds are used.
"We are continuously working on the pending requirements to complete our registration with the IPOPHL. We have also involved our schools and historians, apart from our farmers and national government agencies, in this venture," Bautista said.
He noted that the move will also establish a common identity for Batangas coffee heritage and avoid individual product promotion.
The provincial technical working group (TWG) partners include the Batangas Coffee Farmers Federation (BaCoFFed), the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Science and Technology, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the Batangas History Society, and De La Salle-Lipa.
The provincial government likewise tapped Provincial Information Office, Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office and Provincial Planning and Development Office for additional support.
Bautista said the group is also in the process of finalizing the seal/logo to strengthen Batangas coffee's brand in the market.
The TWG aims to finish the preparations by December or before Governor Hermilando Mandanas' term ends in June 2025.
Arnold Malbataan, president of BaCoFFEd, said active promotion of coffee products generates more income for farmers.
"Let us continue to promote awareness of our identity and the products of the coffee farmers in the province. These efforts show we still have many farmers who continue to grow coffee so that kapeng barako will be more appreciated by many," he said.
Among the efforts to promote the cultural and historical value of kapeng barako include Coffee Day on Oct. 1.
There will be a discussion on the history and etymology of Batanga coffee heritage, barista training, and updates from the TWG.
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