The Provinces of Cavite and Batangas were used to be known for growing coffee, in early days, when the Philippines was one of the Top coffee exporting countries. But in recent years, the production of coffee shifted to Benguet and other parts of Mindanao.
Dr. Carmen L. Lagman and Dr. Ruel Mojica with the aim of housing a one stop information shop showcasing the different coffee varieties in the Philippines, conceptualized and spearheaded the establishment of a Coffee Museum inside the Cavite State University CvSu- Don Severino delas Alas Campus in Indang Cavite and was, launched on June 9, 2015.
The Museum houses a vast collection of different varieties of coffee all over the Philippines including the Arabica, Robusta Liberica, and the Excelsa varieties.
The establishment of the said Museum was made possible through the funding support of the United State Agency for International Development-Science Technology Research, and Innovation for Development (USAID-STRIDE).
Dr. Carmen L. Lagman is the head of the Biodiversity Unit of De La Salle University and Ruel Majoca is the Director of the National Coffee Research Development and Extension Center (NCRDEC), CvSu.
Dr. Mojica in his talk during the launching of the museum acknowledged the funding support of DOST-PCAARRD of their coffee projects.
Dr. David Hall, the Chief of Party of STRIDE in his speech, said that STRIDE supports NCRDEC’s R&D activities until the project’s completion in three years.
Present during the launching were key officials faculty and students of CvSu, Dr. David Hall of USAID-STRIDE, Mirsharriff C. Tillah of USAID, De Salle University Biodiversity Unit Staff-Taft Campus, Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research, different industry partner, provincial and local government units headed by the 7th District Board member Hon. Irene Bencito, coffee farmers/growers, staff from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Department of Trade and Industry, and coffee advocates and enthusiasts.
In closing, Dr. Ruel Mojica enjoined everyone’s support in its ultimate goal of bringing the Philippine Coffee back into the world market. (PSciJourn MegaManila).
