Melanie Provido, DA regional high-value commercial crops coordinator, said government will have to go into expansion because of the high demand for coffee in the Philippines.
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Provido said 70 percent of coffee available in the market today is imported from Indonesia and Vietnam and only 30 percent is locally produced.
"We're targeting all over Region 11 (Davao Region) but we're pouring more support in Talaingod," she said, adding that many of the areas in Davao del Norte are ideal locations for coffee expansion.
The DA official said efforts are being undertaken to revive the coffee industry where majority of coffee productions are found in mountainous areas.
Provido said they are also aiming to put up nursery productions in every local government unit (LGU) in which DA will assist the growing of seedlings that will later be distributed to farmers.
"DA cannot supply all farmers with seedlings. What we do is capacitate the LGUs instead," Provido said, adding that they will still support LGUs with existing nurseries by further improving them.
The Philippines used to be the top coffee producer and exporter in Asia, but the conversion of coffee plantations to other export crops had reduced production which led to importation starting in 1997.
Provido, however, said that it will not be difficult anymore to look for possible niche in the market to sell the locally produce coffee since there is already at least ready market of 70 percent.
"Why do have to import if we can improve on our coffee (production)," she said.
The two most popular coffee varieties in the country are robusta and arabica. Robusta is consumed as 3-in-1 coffee while arabica is used to make cappuccino, latte, and other coffee-based frappe's in coffee shops.
The DA records showed that majority in the region's produce is robusta coffee, although 75 percent of the existing farms in the entire Davao Region need rehabilitation.
Provido said government intervention is also needed like providing farmers with post-harvest facilities, production support, training and marketing support.
She said DA has already partnered with Nestle Philippines in the expansion program. Under this program, Nestle will also be providing technical assistance and training to the farmers.
"Nagahatag pud ta og post-harvest facilities para sa mga farmers para dili nila maski-asa lang ibulad ang kape (We're providing post-harvest facilities to farmers so they will not just dry-up coffee beans anywhere," Provido said.
These facilities will help maintain the quality of coffee beans to meet the quality standards of Nestle being the company which will buy the products.