The Municipality of Dingle, once known as a thriving coffee-producing town in Iloilo Province, is now taking bold steps to reclaim its place in the local coffee industry. With the strong support of the Iloilo Coffee Council and the Philippine Coffee Board, in partnership with various government agencies and private organizations, coffee farmers in Dingle are gaining new knowledge and skills to improve the quality of their beans and boost their livelihoods.
Recently, a two-day coffee processing training was conducted for over 40 participants from four farmer associations:
- Lincud Integrated Farmers Association
- Caguyuman Integrated Farmers Association
- Agtatacay Integrated Farmers Association
- Tulatula-an Integrated Farmers Association
The training was led by Jan Christian Gregory Kilayko, a seasoned coffee roaster and owner of Primal Brew Coffee and Roastery in Makati City. His expertise in coffee processing provided farmers with essential knowledge on how to produce high-quality beans that meet market standards, ultimately leading to better income opportunities.
Beyond processing techniques, the Iloilo Provincial Agriculture Office, represented by Mr. Jepty Cabanilla, conducted training on coffee tree rejuvenation and sustainable farming practices. Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Iloilo shared insights on the upcoming Regional Philippine Coffee Competition, which could open doors for local farmers to showcase their beans on a larger stage.
Dingle’s Coffee Heritage: A Comeback Story
Dingle was once one of Iloilo’s top coffee producers. However, as market demand slowed down, many farmers shifted to other crops, leaving behind their coffee farms. Now, with renewed interest and strong institutional support, efforts are underway to revive this lost industry.
The Iloilo Coffee Council has taken a firm commitment to assist Dingle’s coffee farmers in rebuilding their farms and improving production. However, as Noi Dongor, President of the Iloilo Coffee Council and owner of The Yield Specialty Coffee pointed out, there is still much work to be done:
“We achieved a lot. But we still have a lot to do. We have to campaign for more production—plant more coffee trees, rejuvenate old ones, build more nurseries, and teach farmers the importance of soil analysis and fertilization. We need to mitigate the impact of climate change, experiment with processing techniques, improve quality, and invest in post-harvest facilities and mechanization. Academic research, benchmarking with other coffee-producing areas, and implementing good agricultural and manufacturing practices are all crucial. We also need to develop a short-term and long-term Iloilo coffee roadmap. The journey is far from over, but with passion and persistence, we will keep moving forward.”
His statement highlights the long-term vision and dedication needed to truly revive the coffee industry—not just in Dingle, but in Iloilo as a whole.
A Collective Effort to Elevate Iloilo’s Coffee Industry
The success of this training program was made possible through the collaboration of several key partners:
- Philippine Coffee Board
- Iloilo Coffee Board
- Iloilo Provincial Agriculture Office
- DTI Iloilo
- Department of Agriculture – Western Visayas
- Local Government of Dingle
- Dingle Municipal Agriculture Office
- Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry – Iloilo Chapter, Inc.
- Richmonde Hotel Iloilo
- Primal Brew Coffee and Roastery
- Kape Iloilo
- MCR Agri Ventures
Through continuous collaboration, these organizations aim to strengthen Iloilo’s coffee industry—one bean at a time.
With the right support, skills, and passion, Dingle’s farmers are well on their way to reclaiming their town’s identity as a premier coffee-producing hub. The journey to revitalization has begun, and the future looks promising for Iloilo’s coffee scene. (Photos by Iloilo Coffee Council)
