Empowering coffee farmers in Patikul, Sulu: A needs-based capacity-building initiative for Kahawa Sug
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31851/vxskt558Keywords:
community engagement, coffee farmers, capacity building, Kahawa Sug, participatory development, SuluAbstract
Coffee farming is an important livelihood source for rural households in Patikul, Sulu, Philippines, but farmers face interrelated constraints in cultivation, post-harvest handling, organic input use, branding, packaging, and market access. This study reports an international community engagement initiative implemented by Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta and Sulu State University to strengthen the capacities of coffee farmers and support the development of Kahawa Sug. The initiative adopted a needs-based and participatory approach comprising a community consultation and training needs assessment, followed by a two-day capacity-building program on coffee production, vermicomposting, branding, marketing, and participatory packaging design. Survey findings from 21 farmers indicated small-scale, recently revitalized coffee production and substantial needs for quality seedlings, improved cultivation and post-harvest practices, organic fertilizer, and market-oriented product development. Thirteen farmers completed the capacity-building program. While Wilcoxon signed-rank tests showed no statistically significant immediate changes in vermicomposting knowledge or coffee farming knowledge, participant evaluations were highly positive. The program also generated a culturally grounded packaging concept for Kahawa Sug. The study demonstrates that international community engagement can strengthen local partnerships, generate relevant capacity-building interventions, and establish foundations for sustained support to smallholder coffee farmers.
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