Government ministries and agencies are working to boost the abaca and coffee industries in the province of Lanao del Sur.
This followed the reorganization by the Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism (MTIT) of several technical working groups that will lead the development of a roadmap for the industries and to improve the life of farmers.
The roadmap is a five-year plan focused on putting abaca and coffee production in the right direction to make it more competitive in the global market and in market matching.
It will also provide skills training and enough livelihood to farmers, producers, and traders.
“We are seeking their full support. We ask for the commitment of support ng technical working group. They actually pledged and commitment to support the program, and we are very hopeful na tuloy-tuloy itong ating programa,” MTIT Lanao del Sur Senior Trade Industry Development Specialist Abdul Bashit Sabdullah said.
As of present time, the province aims to lead in abaca production in the country or at least enter the list of the top five abaca producers nationwide.
“Year 2019, we are in 7th place. [By] 2021, we are in 9th place. Ngayon, ina-achieve natin na makapasok sa top five,” Sabdullah said.
“We are very optimistic na ang technical working group can achieve that na makapasok tayo sa top five considering na we are planning to expand and maraming mga opisina na tumutugon sa usaping abaca,” he continued.
As for the coffee industry, they aim first to be known as a producer not only of commercial coffee but also for special and top-grade coffee. —Report from Claire Gigje/KC-ag
