SAVING THE FORESTS BY GROWING COFFEE BEANS

SAVING THE FORESTS BY GROWING COFFEE BEANS

As I sit here sipping my coffee, I am reminded of the irony that we import most of our milk and flour, despite being an agricultural country. But what's even more alarming is that we only produce about 30% of our local coffee demand, forcing us to import about 70% of it. It's no wonder I don't feel guilty buying coffee from Starbucks and Seattle's Best anymore.

I used to envy Singapore for its strong export game, but now I'm looking at Switzerland and Germany, who have become top coffee exporters despite not producing coffee beans themselves. They're buying raw beans from other countries, processing them, and exporting them. It's a clever move, and one that we could learn from.

We have the land, the farmers, and the knowledge to grow more coffee beans. So, why don't we? Marketing isn't a problem, as global demand far exceeds local production. In fact, we'd need to quadruple our production to become a net exporter.

But here's the thing: we don't need to clear more forests to grow more coffee. There's a better way, as demonstrated by Daniel Jason Maches' Barlig Rainforest Coffee project. Mr. Maches grows coffee within the forest, without cutting down trees or destroying the ecosystem. Instead, he preserves existing trees and plants more, including native species like Almaciga, which is a habitat for the critically endangered Philippine Eagle.

Maches' approach is revolutionary. By growing coffee within the forest, he's saving the forest and producing coffee at the same time. His sustainability strategy includes using organic fertilizers, natural insect control solutions, and nitrogen-fixing plants.

The global demand for coffee is substantial, with the market expected to reach USD 54.04 billion by 2030. The Philippines is the 14th largest coffee producer in the world, but our production is still relatively small compared to major coffee-producing countries.

However, with initiatives like Maches' Barlig Rainforest Coffee project, we can increase our production while preserving our forests. It's a win-win situation. So, let's take a cue from Switzerland and Germany, and start processing and exporting our own coffee. We have the potential to become a major player in the global coffee market, while also saving our forests.

Maches calls himself a social entrepreneur, meaning that he is a small businessman, and not an NGO. The core of his plantation is a 4 hectare that given to him by his father, but he has invited other landowners and farmers to also grow coffee using his methods. He gives them coffee seedlings as a way of helping him, without any obligation to sell back to him. As it happens however, most of the farmers sell more than half of their harvests to him, perhaps inspired by a moral obligation.

As I see it, the approach of Maches could be replicated all over the Philippines, not necessarily via social entrepreneurs, or even via NGOs. Maches himself is an Indigenous Tribal Person (ITP), and he encourages ITPs to adopt his business model. That said, if his business model could be adopted by ITPs everywhere, the same thing will happen. ITPs will not only produce coffee for their own livelihood, they will also help in preserving forests and promoting sustainability.

It's time for us to step up our coffee game and make a positive impact on the environment. Who's with me?

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

04-04-2025Top of Form

Bottom of Form