THE TECHNICAL Education and Skills Development Authority expressed commitment to train coffee farmers to boost their skills and enhance their livelihood.

During the two-day Coffee Expo last October 2, Deputy Director General Aniceto Bertiz III, represented by TESDA Women’s Center Chief Angelica Gonzales, said that the agency has programs to boost the country’s coffee industry.

“TESDA is actively converging with other government agencies and the private companies in advocating and championing the various sub-sectors of the agriculture-fishery sector,” he said.

“TESDA will continue to collaborate with the various stakeholders and industries for the continuous development and improvement of our programs and services for the Filipino workers’ better tomorrow,” he added.

The Coffee Expo Manila 2022 aimed to provide a platform to entrepreneurs, decision-makers and buyers that will bring in solutions, show what’s new and provide learnings to advance their coffee, cacao, tea and bakery business.

Bertiz shared that TESDA, together with stakeholders, has developed various training programs such as Coffee Production Level II and Coffee Nursery Operation Level II.

The Coffee Production Level II training runs for at least 176 hours or 22 days while the Coffee Nursery Operation Level II training lasts for 270 hours or 34 days.

These courses are being offered in eight training institutions in Benguet, Mt. Province, Cagayan, Bukidnon, and Sultan Kudarat.

TESDA forged a memorandum of agreement with Nestle Philippines to help coffee farmers, specifically in Sultan Kudarat and Bukidnon, to increase their yields and to have a more sustainable livelihood.

Under the partnership that started in 2021, TESDA and Nestle Philippines had upskilled 703 coffee farmers in Bukidnon and Sultan Kudarat.