Published September 08, 2026 by CIPO- Jenerwin M. Columna
For a town and university looking to turn agricultural potential into sustainable livelihood, a meeting over coffee may prove to be about much more than the crop itself.
CSU Lal-lo’s efforts to develop its emerging coffee industry gained fresh momentum as Mr. Enrique G. Dela Cruz, national coffee focal person of the Department of Agriculture’s Coffee Industry Development Office, visited the campus to explore ways of strengthening local production and building a more sustainable coffee value chain.
The visit brought together the national government, the local government and the academe—three sectors whose collaboration could determine whether Lal-lo’s coffee initiative grows from small-scale production into a viable source of income for farmers and communities.
Mr. Dela Cruz was joined by Vice Mayor Olive B. Pascual and Municipal Agriculturist Josephine Acebedo, underscoring the municipal government’s push to position coffee not simply as another agricultural commodity but as a potential driver of rural livelihood and local economic development.
Initiated by the Local Government Unit of Lal-lo, the visit formed part of continuing efforts to expand coffee production and connect the municipality with national programs, technical assistance and research institutions.
During discussions at the university, stakeholders explored possible interventions ranging from farmer support and production development to research-based innovations and product development.
The conversation also opened opportunities for CSU Lal-lo to contribute its academic and research expertise to the industry—helping ensure that the town’s coffee program is supported not only by production targets but also by science, innovation and long-term planning.
For farmers, such partnerships could eventually mean improved access to technical knowledge, better production practices and opportunities to move beyond growing coffee beans toward developing products with greater market value.
With the Department of Agriculture, the LGU and CSU Lal-lo now exploring possible areas of cooperation, the visit marks another step toward building a more sustainable coffee industry in Northern Cagayan.