Growing Arabica Coffee in the Mountain: Evolving Production and Marketing Practices in Benguet and Mountain Province

Abstract

Using focus group discussions and key informant interviews, this paper presents the production and marketing dynamics vis-à-vis local capacity to meet local demands in selected Arabica growing communities in Benguet and Mountain Province. Findings show that there are various efforts done locally to keep the industry thriving amidst challenges such as climate hazards and the attractiveness of converting to vegetable cash crop production. Two distinct potential good practice models figure when looking at the coffee industry's major local players: the individual entrepreneur and the organized cooperatives. These models are not new, but findings show that each model has elements to share and areas where each model can work at its best. These models have upscaling potentials.