Coffee Academy Launched in Batangas

Coffee is really one of my weaknesses, I really need/want to have a dose of it everyday. That's why Im so happy when the famous “Kapeng Barako” of Batangas which suffered from coffee rust that caused its decline many decades ago is expected to be served hot again when coffee growing technology is taught to senior high school students under the K to 12 basic education reform program. Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC led key officials during the launch of the Coffee Academy at Pinagtongulan National High School in Lipa City today, June 8.

The Department of Education’s K to 12 basic education program was designed to produce graduates who are equipped with knowledge and skills to prepare them for the world of work or college education. Senior high school (Grade 11 and Grade 12) will be devoted to the honing of students skills in their preferred industry or line of work.

The curriculum under K to 12 was designed to make it adapt to local employment and industry needs. DepEd Division of Lipa City will pilot the Lipa Coffee Academy in Pinagtongulan National High School. It will be a special program for senior high school starting school year 2012-2013 (Grade 11) and 2013-2014 (Grade 12). Some of the subjects to be taught under the special curriculum include basic research method, project feasibility study, coffee nursery management and practices, as well as entrepreneurial development.

Coffee, which was first introduced in 1740 in Pinagtongulan, Lipa, Batangas by a Franciscan monk, thrived in the towns of Ibaan, Lemery, San Jose, Taal, Tanauan and Lipa, earning for it the title of Coffee Capital of the Philippines.

In 1860, Lipa started exporting “Kapeng Barako” to San Francisco, California, USA. When the Suez Canal was opened, a new market was opened as well in Europe. At the height of its popularity, the Kapeng Barako commands five times the price of other Asian coffee beans. In 1889, however, coffee rust and insect infestation affected all the coffee trees which forced many farmers to shift to other crops. It did not cause the total collapse of the industry but the planting area was greatly reduced and the industry suffered heavily.