From Beans to Breakthroughs: Project Coffee++ Closes with Farmers’ Dreams Realized
PAG-USWAG was more than an event — it was a celebration of people, partnerships, and the powerful journey of coffee from the highlands to our homes. Serving as both Project Coffee++’s Closing Program on the GIZ-side, and the official launch on the partners’ side, the gathering marked a meaningful milestone in the shared mission to uplift Filipino coffee farmers and strengthen the local coffee industry.
Through the collective efforts of the Department of Agriculture, Nestlé Philippines, GIZ, and the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat, the event honored the true heart of the sector: our farmers. The Recognition of Champions paid tribute to Outstanding Young Farmers, Outstanding Women Farmers, and Outstanding Coffee Farmers — individuals whose dedication, resilience, and innovation continue to shape a more sustainable and hopeful future for Philippine agriculture.
A defining moment of the day was the turnover and institutionalization of knowledge products, together with the signing and declaration of commitments. These symbolized not just the completion of a project, but the beginning of a deeper, long-term collaboration to grow a more competitive, inclusive, and sustainable coffee industry.
GIZ Country Director Immanuel Gebhardt, Coffee++ Project Manager Cornelia Skokov, Senior Advisor Tomas Cabuenos, and staff thanked all the partners for a very successful 8 year collaboration.
Through Project Coffee++, partners and stakeholders renewed their pledge to empower farming communities, promote sustainable production, and build resilient livelihoods across the coffee value chain. As the aroma of progress continues to brew, PAG-USWAG stands as a testament to what is possible when government, private sector, and communities come together — united by a shared belief that when farmers thrive, the future grows brighter for all.
