Only about 6% of Batangas and Cavite’s signature barako coffee plantations have survived Taal volcano’s series of eruptions from these past weeks. This dangerously puts it on the track towards extinction and prompts the need for an immediate preservation plan.
Sadly, despite Taal volcano’s alert level recently being lowered and all the hopes and possibilities of restoration that this brings, CALABARZON’s agricultural sector still took a massive hit. With 600 million worth of coffee produce covered and withered in toxic ash along with farmers losing potential revenue of up to P 1.2 billion, the gloomy aftermath is said to be felt up to next year.
In case you didn’t know, ever since the 1740’s, the strong, fruity Liberica coffee variation commonly known as “Kapeng barako” is traditionally grown in the climatic conditions and soil quality of two provinces with their produce making up 90% of the country’s barako beans.
[Read more: Local coffee beans defined: Arabica, robusta, and liberica]
This being said, the threat of extinction will have far-reaching effects on the nation’s coffee industry as the two badly hit provinces’ coffee bean harvests are also responsible for 15% of Philippine’s overall coffee production.
The Philippine Coffee Board Inc. (PCBI) fully comprehends the crisis, thankfully, and is determined to preserve this trademark Filipino specialty coffee. In a recent press briefing, PCBI director Guillermo Luz announced that they have been taking damage control measures and are also planning an expansion program for Barako trees.
While PCBI’s company, Kape Isla, will be offering to buy the remaining produce from affected farmers, the company will also reserve a third of the remaining coffee produce in affected areas as seeds for the expansion program.
“We are looking at areas in Visayas and Mindanao, areas outside Calabarzon. We are taking a long-term approach to protect the barako variety,” Luz says in the press meeting and adds that they are currently looking into the more remote and idle islands of Basilan.
However, because of the evident supply cut and the sudden need for more imports, PCBI officials also warn consumers that a price hike for barako coffee will most likely be observed.
You can still help the victims of the Taal eruptions this link.
Header photo courtesy of Inquirer.net
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Writer: JOY THERESE GOMEZ
