Inag Coffee Farmers Association Inc.

28/04/2025

Members of the Inag Coffee Farmers Association Inc. (ICFAI) — residents of eight barangays in Malungon, Sarangani Province — are deeply grateful to Congressman Steve Chiongbian Solon for his unwavering support and commitment to the farming community.

Thanks to his programs and projects, life is steadily improving for our Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and farmers. Some major milestones include:
✅ Farm-to-market roads that connect us faster to buyers and markets
✅ The Lower Mainit Bridge that brings safer travel
✅ Water systems in Sitio Tandawanan, Upper Lumabat, providing safe, clean, and abundant drinking water directly to homes
✅ Hospital assistance for healthcare needs
✅ Financial support, farm equipment, and coffee machineries that boost our coffee production
✅ Improved coffee processing facility through the DOST CEST Program, giving ICFAI the technology and tools needed to produce even better quality coffee.
✅ TESDA scholarships that provide our members with new skills and training opportunities, helping uplift our farmers' capabilities and livelihoods!

ICFAI is especially proud to be a part of the DOLE-TUPAD program! Through this initiative, each member helped dig 200 standard-sized holes (40x60cm), critical for planting Robusta, high-quality coffee trees. 💪🌱 In total, 20,000 holes were dug, covering 33.3 hectares of land — an important leap toward our goal of planting 100,000 Robusta coffee trees! 🌳

Digging might seem like simple work, but these properly-sized holes are the foundation for growing world-class coffee. And because of TUPAD’s support, our farmers didn’t just dig holes — they laid down the roots for a better, more sustainable future.

These achievements are just the beginning. With continued support, even bigger and brighter opportunities await our community. Maraming salamat, Cong. Steve Solon, DOST, and all partners who believe in our dreams! 💚☕✨



📸 Credits to the rightful owners of the photos.

20/03/2025

Our hearts are overflowing with joy and gratitude to everyone who supported the MOA Signing and Project Launching of the MinTrees Initiative & ICFAI Food Forest! This milestone would not have been possible without your trust and commitment to our shared vision of sustainable livelihoods and agroforestry.

💚 THANK YOU, Congressman Steve Chiongbian Solon, for your genuine love and dedication to helping our farmers here in Sarangani. Without hesitation, you provided support and opportunities to strengthen our agricultural sector, making our dream of a stable and sustainable livelihood for our families a reality.

🌱 Hon. Rogelio "Ruel" D. Pacquiao – We are deeply grateful for your unwavering support for initiatives that promote both environmental conservation and sustainable livelihoods.

🌿 Kennemer Eco Solutions, Sir Simon Bakker, and team – Thank you for believing in our vision and for your continuous support. Because of you, we are more inspired and motivated to continue this great work for future generations.

🏡 Mayor Ma. Theresa D. Constantino – We truly appreciate your constant guidance and support for our association as small-scale coffee farmers. Your dedication and passion empower us to keep striving for a better future.

🌍 Sir Luciano M. Lumancas – NCIP Provincial Office – We highly commend your strong support for our efforts. Your commitment to protecting and uplifting our Indigenous communities is a huge contribution to our progress. Your partnership is an inspiration for us to keep moving forward.

🌳 Hon. Edgar Alegario, Barangay Captain of Brgy. Lower Mainit – Thank you for your leadership and commitment, providing a solid foundation for the success of our community.

🤝 Above all, to our fellow farmers—you are the true heroes of this industry! Your hard work, love for the land, and dedication to nature are the reasons we continue to thrive.

✨ This event has shown that through trust, unity, and a shared love for the land and environment, we can achieve so much more.

BIG THANK YOU to everyone! Let’s continue to grow together! 🌱💚

06/10/2024

Ramil Libana, a dedicated coffee farmer, and a member of Inag Coffee Farmers Association Inc. (ICFAI) from Barangay Upper Lumabat in Malungon, Sarangani Province, has been spotlighted on the official USAID Philippines page. His remarkable journey as a mentee in the USAID Safe Water project is being celebrated.

Ramil Libana, a dedicated coffee farmer from Barangay Upper Lumabat in Malungon, Sarangani Province, has been spotlighted on the official USAID Philippines page. His remarkable journey as a mentee in the USAID Safe Water project is being celebrated.

“Celebrating young leaders like Ramil Libana of Sarangani! From learning sustainable coffee farming from elders and enhancing his skills through USAID training, he clinched Top 1 at the 2022 Sarangani Coffee Competition! Now, as a Tagakaulo coffee mentor, he inspires fellow youth and Indigenous farmers in the art of coffee excellence. Ramil shows that success is within reach with the right skills, passion, and determination!” shared USAID Philippines.

Libana achieved the top spot in the Fine Robusta Coffee category at the 1st ‘Kape Sarangani: Coffee Quality Competition’ held from November 23 to 25, 2022, with an impressive cupping score of 83.58. He was among the top three winners of the competition.

As part of the USAID Safe Water project, Libana was trained to be a coffee mentor.

The Sarangani Coffee Industry Development Council and USAID Safe Water conducted a series of training sessions for coffee mentors in both the eastern and western Sarangani watershed areas.

These sessions aimed to teach good agricultural practices to improve coffee yield and quality, thereby increasing farmers' income. Additionally, the initiative sought to enhance water resource management in watershed areas and encourage participants to become mentors in their communities.

Many of the trained Sarangani coffee mentors excelled in the Kape Dose Coffee Quality Competition. Notable winners include Renny Boy Takyawan from Malungon, Kubli Kusin from Maitum, and Albert Pending from Glan.

Sarangani was the first province in the Philippines to implement the Safe Water project. USAID signed a five-year, PHP 869-million Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Palawan, Negros Occidental, and Sarangani to address water security challenges in these regions.

The project, which began in 2020, provides technical assistance to help these provinces gain reliable access to clean water and is set to conclude in October 2024.

15/08/2024

We are honored to welcome our esteemed guests to the Inag Coffee Farmers Association Inc. (ICFAI) Demo Farm:

USAID Mission Director Mr. Ryan Washburn, NEDA Undersecretary Joseph Capuno, representing the national government, Engr. Clarissa Echavez-Rendon, head of the USAID Safe Water Project - General Santos City and Sir Roger Acosta, a valued partner and supporter of ICFAI from the very beginning.

During their visit, ICFAI Liaison and Project Manager Renny Boy T. Takyawan, along with selected farmers, officers, and members of the Board of Directors, had the pleasure of demonstrating key aspects of our coffee farming process. This included pruning, red picking of coffee cherries, and even the traditional “lubok” (grinding coffee beans) in tandem with Undersecretary Capuno.

Their presence and support are invaluable as we continue to empower our farmers and advance sustainable coffee production in our region. Together, we are sowing the seeds for a brighter, more sustainable future! 🌍☕️

05/04/2024

🌱🌾 𝐃𝐀𝐑 𝐈𝐀𝐒 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐂𝐅𝐀𝐈 🌾🌱

Inag Coffee Farmers Association Inc. was successfully validated by the DAR Central Office - Internal Audit Service (IAS) last April 3, 2024.

The purpose of the Internal Audit is to ensure that project recipients have followed the project implementation processes and, most importantly, to confirm that the project's objectives were met. This activity showcases DAR's commitment to maintaining the required standards of quality and compliance.

The ICFAI Board of Directors extends heartfelt gratitude and a warm welcome to the IAS team: Internal Auditor IV Marie Ann Dalisay, Internal Auditor III Ariel Ilagan, and Internal Auditor II Jake Campued. We also express our appreciation to those in attendance from DARPO-Sarangani, including ARPO I Charlie Dumalag and ARPT Engr. Yrreg Fritz Torres, as well as DARMO Representatives Engr. Von Angelo Cataluna.

ICFAI remains dedicated to working hard and serving our farmers and community to the best of our abilities. With DAR's continued support, we eagerly anticipate further growth and improvement in our coffee farming endeavors! 🌿☕

05/01/2024

🌱🚀 Exciting News from ICFAI! 🚀🌱

Cheers to a fruitful end to 2023 and a promising start to 2024! 🌟 The Inag Coffee Farmers Association Inc. (ICFAI) and its dedicated members are thrilled to announce the HANDOVER of 41,000 certified Robusta coffee seedlings (1st batch), along with the arrival of an additional 9,000 seedlings (2nd batch) from the Department of Agriculture Region 12! 🌿☕

A heartfelt thank you to DA Region 12 for the generous contribution of 50,000 high-quality coffee seedlings! 🙏 Office of the Provincial Agriculturist Sir Balbino for your kind Assistance, Hon. Mayor Tessa Kyut Constantino and Office of the Municipal Agriculturist-Malungon. Your support is the driving force behind our mission to cultivate sustainable and thriving coffee farms in our community.

As we usher in the new year, ICFAI members are gearing up for a month-long journey of planting and nurturing these precious seedlings. Each ICFAI member receives a minimum of 200 seedlings for planting, ensuring that every 40x60cm plot is a canvas for growth, and we are committed to making every inch count! 💪🌳

Here's to a bountiful 2024 filled with the aroma of freshly brewed success and the pride of nurturing our coffee legacy! ☕🌿