Coffee production eyed as alternative for marijuana farmers

TINGLAYAN, Kalinga - The local government here is determined to enhance coffee production to eradicate marijuana plantations in its far-flung villages.

“Enhancing our coffee production will make the local farmers realize that there are other kinds of livelihood aside from planting marijuana,” Tinglayan Mayor Johnny Maymaya said.

Maymaya said marijuana planting is still rampant in the villages of Loccong, Busculan, Butbut and in a hamlet called Balay.

The mayor said the municipality is progressively being known for its Robusta coffee production. He said agriculturists are now looking for the possible cultivation of Arabica coffee in the elevated parts of the municipality.

With the new development, Maymaya said the municipal government is planning to approach more farmers, particularly those who are cultivating marijuana, and convince them to plant coffee plants instead.

Jerry Baliang, acting regional director of the Department of Agriculture in the Cordillera Administrative Region, said more than 8,000 hectares of land in Kalinga have been converted into coffee farms. Read more...