THE CONSULATE General of Japan in Davao and the Balutakay Coffee Farmers (BACOFA) Cooperative signed a grant contract for “The Project for the Provision of Coffee Warehouse and Processing Machines in Bansalan.”
Funded under Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP), the grant amounts to USD 61,065 or approximately Php 3.4 million.
It will provide Bacofa with warehouse and coffee processing equipment, including roasting and grinding machines, to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve the quality of their products.
Bacofa is a producer organization composed of coffee farmers in Balutakay, Bansalan, Davao del Sur. The cooperative is recognized as a community-based producer of specialty Arabica coffee, with its members consistently winning in the annual Philippine Coffee Quality Competition.
This initiative aims to improve Bacofa’s post-harvest handling, storage, and processing facilities, empowering farmers to achieve better livelihoods and sustainable growth.
During the signing ceremony, Consul General Ishikawa Yoshihisa and Bacofa chairperson Rogelio Gonzales expressed their commitment to this partnership, highlighting its potential to uplift the farming community and promote sustainable coffee production in the area.
This project underscores Japan’s dedication to grassroots development, particularly in supporting rural farming communities.
Photo courtesy of Japan Consulate- Davao
