QUEZON CITY --  The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in partnership with Nestlè Philippines trained 50 coffee farmers on Coffee Production Level II in Bukidnon Integrated Coffee Center (BICC) in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City.

The first batch of scholars started their training through a virtual Training Induction Program held last June 24, 2021, followed by the second batch held on July 1, 2021.

Out of 50 scholars, 25 coffee growers and coffee farmworkers from Maramag town comprised the first batch, while the other 25 individuals are from Lantapan town, TESDA-Bukidnon said in a press release.

Coffee Production Level II training, which lasts for 176 hours or 25-days, is a combination of face-to-face and distance learning to learn about modern coffee growing and entrepreneurship.

Two hundred scholarship slots in Bukidnon are up for grabs this year and will accommodate six more batches identified by Nestlé Philippines.

Based on the agreement, TESDA will train the identified beneficiaries of Nestlé Philippines initially in Bukidnon and the Province of Sultan Kudarat, where 80 percent of the country's coffee is grown.

"This is why TESDA and Nestlé Philippines are joining hands to carry out the coffee production project. By upskilling the workers and trainers in coffee production, we will enable the farmers and indigenous people to produce quality coffee beans that are at par with the standards of Nestlé," TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña said.

Lapeña looks forward to training more coffee farmers through this scholarship program.

Meanwhile, TESDA-XII prepares to implement the Coffee Production Level II in the Province of Sultan Kudarat.  (MTQ/PIA-IDPD with information from TESDA)