Published October 11, 2024 by Jenerwin M. Columna| CSU Lal-lo Information Officer
Following the completion of the research on knowledge, attitudes and practices of coffee growers in Cagayan, a component study of the Coffee Research, Development, and Extension (RDE) Hub Program, mapping the location of viable coffee farms in the province, Cagayan State University (CSU) at Lal-lo is ramping up efforts to enhance local coffee production and processing in northern Cagayan.
With the collaborative efforts of the faculty-researchers, research and extension staff, and the administration, two extension activities were conducted in August and October, to share research-based production and processing technologies among coffee farmers, growers and processors in the province.
The extension team started the capability building activity in Logac, Lal-lo on August 13, 2024, sharing the products and results of finished and ongoing research endeavors of the campus along the Coffee RDE Hub Program.
On October 07, 2024, the team organized another extension activity at San Jose, Baggao for the same purpose.
The training session covered vital aspects of coffee bean production, with faculty members from the College of Agriculture, including Mr. Ronel Collado, Mrs. Roje Marie Rosqueta, Asso. Prof. Maribel Fernandez, and Asst. Prof. Boyet Pattung, sharing their expertise on cultural management and sustainable coffee farming practices.
Aside from the training on production and management, the two extension activity episodes also emphasized sharing research-based processing methods to help farmers develop market-ready coffee products with the facilitation of the faculty members from the College of Hospitality Management, namely Asso. Prof. Althea Manuel, Mr. Ronald Espada, Asso. Prof. Cherry Udaundo, and Asso. Prof. Mark Gregory Asejo, with the participation of Asst. Prof. Mylene T. Urbi, extension coordinator of the College of Teacher Education.
The extension program is a continuation of CSU Lal-lo’s ongoing efforts to support local coffee farmers, through establishing the coffee research center at CSU Lal-lo.
Through the collaboration between CSU Lal-lo and local stakeholders like the local government units, the program is expected to significantly impact the local coffee industry by empowering farmers and enhancing the region’s coffee production capabilities.