The provincial government here is creating a code of practice to standardize the production of “kapeng barako” or liberica coffee among local farmers as part of its effort in collective mark registration with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.
In an interview on Tuesday, Office of Provincial Agriculturist head Rod Bautista said the code of practice includes the standardized procedure of planting coffee trees and harvesting of beans while ensuring that DNA (deoxyribonycleic acid)-tested seeds are used.
This effort will also give common identity to Batangas coffee heritage and avoid individual promotion of their products, he noted.
“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 told the Philippine News Agency.
Among the partners in the provincial technical working group (TWG) are the Batangas Coffee Farmers Federation (BaCoFFed), Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, 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.
The group is also in the process of finalizing the seal/logo to strengthen the brand of Batangas coffee in the market, Bautista said.
The TWG is targeting to finish the preparations by December or before the end of Governor Hermilando Mandanas’ term 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 a lot of farmers who continue to grow coffee so 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 Batangas coffee heritage, barista training and updates from the TWG. (PNA)
