๐๐จ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฆ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ณ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ฌ ๐ฎ๐ฉ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฎ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ
JDC Coffee Farm, a flourishing player in the Philippine coffee industry, has recently been approved for the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) SETUP 4.0 iFund. This funding aims to enhance the farm’s processes, systems, and product quality through the adoption of science and technology-related interventions.
The farm, founded by a coffee lover John B. Dela Cruz, started cultivating and producing freshly ground coffee in 2019 having identified a gap in the local market where demand for ground coffee was met predominantly by imports. Driven by this opportunity, he dedicated himself to learning the intricacies of coffee farming and production, acquiring skills through self-study and support from various government agencies. The firm also participated in the DOST’s iFWD PH (Phase 1) program for OFWs, significantly enhancing the proprietorโs knowledge in business management. Moreover, in 2023, the farm engaged in the DOST’s Food Safety Consultancy program to ensure adherence to food safety standards through a well-structured plant layout. This year, the firm aims to further enhance its practices through the Food Safety Consultancy for Good Manufacturing Practices.
Since its inception, JDC Coffee Farm has garnered significant demand for its coffee products, as seen by the positive response at various trade fairs. Currently, the farm produces an insufficient volume of ground coffee leaving the demands in Capiz unmet due to inefficient equipment. With the approval of the SETUP 4.0 iFund, Mr. Dela Cruz aims to scale up production and further improve product quality to meet growing market demands.
The approval of the SETUP 4.0 iFund project of JDC Coffee Farm titled ‘Process, System, and Product Quality Improvement of JDC Coffee Farm’ marks a significant milestone for the firm, setting the stage for continued growth and innovation in the Philippine coffee industry. (VBDelaPena/DOST Capiz)
