Aimed at revitalizing the Kapeng Barako industry in Batangas Province, the Batangas State University (BatStateU) conducted the inauguration and launching of the BARAKO coffee nursery and smart demonstration farm on 21 October 2021 at the Pueblo Farms, Pueblo Subd., Rosario, Batangas and via Zoom.
BARAKO or Batangas Actions towards Revitalization and Acceleration of Kapeng Barako Industry is a project funded by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), and in partnership with public and private agencies.
Through massive seedling propagation and dispersal and establishment of a smart demo farm, the project intends to increase the productivity and capacity of Kapeng Barako growers in the province. This can increase the area of Barako plantations and barako coffee production in the coming years, hence, achieve optimum yield and health of coffee trees.
BatStateU president Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo shared the university’s commitment in the production and propagation of Kapeng Barako in Batangas.
“Rest assured that our R&D will always be with us in promoting high-value crops in the province,” he added.
DA-BAR director Dr. Vivencio R. Mamaril, in his message, looks forward to the success of the project and in helping the coffee farmers in Batangas through the provided funds.
“This is a seed money, alam natin na if we are going to put value, we will be able to accomplish per proposal then this is really a worthy undertaking of the university,” he said.
Messages of support, commitment, and partnerships were also shared by key personalities from the local government units, farmer groups, and partner agencies from the private and business sectors.
Dr. Romel U. Briones, project leader, facilitated the turn-over of coffee seedlings to farmer groups led by Batangas Province Governor Hermilando I. Mandanas.
The project targets to identify and involve at least 300 coffee farmers in seedlings dispersal, capacity building, and trainings on propagation and production of Kapeng Barako.