The Department of Agriculture (DA) sees high potential in Abra coffee growers.

The department and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) conducted a briefing on Coffee Rejuvenation Program for the Abra’s coffee growers at the  Provincial Capitol Governor’s Gallery on June 19, 2019.

Benita Bilgera from DA-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) said a coffee tree more than ten years old can only produce 300 grams of coffee beans compared to 800 grams to 1 kilo from a younger tree. Coffee rejuvenation includes the cutting of vertical stems of old trees to induce growth of new sprouts and using fertilizers to revitalize the tree. Farmers can harvest coffee beans after a year.

DA has provided fertilizers for 11,000 coffee trees to growers in Boliney, Malibcong, Licuan-Baay, Daguioman, and Bucloc. They will also give 25 units of mini-chainsaws to be distributed by OPAG.