The Department of Agriculture (DA) is rolling out a P2.5-billion farm-to-market road (FMR) program in Sultan Kudarat, aimed at strengthening the province’s position in the country’s coffee industry.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the project will improve access to remote agricultural areas, opening up around 29,000 hectares of land for coffee development. The initiative is expected to ease transport challenges and help farmers scale up production more efficiently.
The road network forms part of the government’s long-term strategy to boost domestic coffee output and reduce reliance on imports.
Supporting Farmers and Strengthening Livelihoods
Local officials welcomed the project, noting its direct impact on rural communities. Governor Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatusaid coffee farming remains a key livelihood source for about 20,000 families in the province.
He stressed that improved farm access would help sustain production and stabilize incomes, especially with coffee prices currently reaching nearly P300 per kilo. Major buyer Nestlé Philippines continues to play a significant role in the local supply chain. Harvesting typically peaks from November to February.
Despite strong domestic demand, the Philippines remains heavily dependent on imported coffee, driven by rising consumption and a growing café culture nationwide.
Mindanao’s Expanding Role in Coffee Production
Agriculture Undersecretary Jerome Oliveros said Sultan Kudarat is part of a wider Mindanao-focused strategy to achieve coffee self-sufficiency. Other priority provinces include Bukidnon, Davao del Sur, and Agusan del Sur under the proposed Mindanao Special Reserve Areas for Coffee Industry Development.
The clustering approach is designed to streamline support services and improve production efficiency across key growing areas. The DA estimates that an additional 100,000 hectares must be developed nationwide to meet local demand.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that Sultan Kudarat led national coffee production in 2024, reinforcing Mindanao’s dominance in the sector alongside provinces such as Cavite and Iloilo.
