Nestlé Philippines Partners with Tesda to Train Coffee Farmers and Improve Post-Harvest Systems – CoffeeTalk

Nestlé Philippines is working to enhance the local coffee industry to combat a persistent bean shortage, driven by the belief that well-trained farmers and improved post-harvest systems are key solutions. Currently, only 20% of Nestlé’s coffee supply, mainly for its Nescafé products, is sourced locally, with the majority imported from countries like Indonesia and Vietnam.

To address this, Nestlé is expanding its partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) to upskill smallholder farmers and boost coffee production. The collaboration will emphasize technical training, post-harvest support, and improvements in logistics and distribution, fertilizers, and coordination among stakeholders. Training will cover modern farming techniques and sustainable agricultural practices.

This partnership builds on a previous initiative from 2021 aimed at training farmers in Robusta coffee production, focusing on regions that produce about 80% of the nation’s coffee. Despite the Philippines having the suitable climate and soil for coffee cultivation, many farmers face challenges like limited access to training and tools, which restricts their ability to maximize yields and profits. Consequently, most farmers only sell fresh cherries or dried parchment, receiving minimal returns, whereas those involved in value-added processes, such as drying and quality grading, secure significantly higher earnings.

Nestlé sees the renewed Tesda partnership as vital for improving farming practices and enhancing the long-term resilience of farming communities. Over the past five years, Nestlé has trained over 13,000 Filipino coffee farmers in regenerative agricultural methods, resulting in yield increases from 300 kilograms per hectare to as much as two tons in some cases.

In addition to coffee, Nestlé and Tesda plan to collaborate on entrepreneurial training for small store owners, green technical education initiatives, and community-based training programs with local government units, broadening their commitment to developing the agricultural sector in the Philippines.

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