Can CIDO Finally Grow the PH Coffee Industry?

Filipinos love their coffee, but the country still struggles to grow enough of it locally. That’s why the Department of Agriculture (DA) created the Coffee Industry Development Office (CIDO) earlier this year to bring the government’s coffee programs under one roof. Now, the bigger question is whether CIDO can finally turn those plans into more homegrown coffee.

A Fresh Upgrade

CIDO isn’t the Philippines’ first attempt to strengthen its coffee sector. The country already had a coffee industry roadmap outlining goals for improving productivity, quality, farmer incomes, and local production.

What CIDO brings is a more centralized approach. The office is tasked with coordinating coffee programs across DA offices and regional units while working with LGUs, farmer groups, universities, and private companies. It can also recommend policy changes where gaps remain.

From Plans to Coffee Farms

Since its inception, CIDO has begun assessing existing programs and planning priorities for 2027. In May, the office conducted its 2027 assessment and strategic planning, looking at how current efforts can better support the sector.

Recent initiatives also support this framework. One example is in Sultan Kudarat, where the DA has pushed for a ₱2.5-billion farm-to-market road network covering around 29,000 hectares. Better roads can help connect farming communities to processors and markets, addressing some of the logistical challenges that can keep locally grown coffee from reaching buyers.

Lastly, CIDO has called for greater cooperation among government, farmers, academia, and the private sector to build a more competitive and climate-resilient industry.

READ: Morning Coffee May Lower Death Risk, Says Study: A Daily Cup for a Longer Life?

The Real Test

It may still be too early to measure CIDO by how much additional coffee the country produces. For now, much of its work has focused on assessment, planning, and coordination.

But eventually, its success will have to hinge on the ground: Can Filipino farmers produce more? Can they earn more? And can the Philippines become less dependent on imported coffee?

For CIDO, the goal isn’t simply to create a more organized coffee program. It’s to help build a stronger local industry, from Filipino farms all the way to the coffee in our cups.