𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐋𝐒𝐔 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚, 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨 𝐎𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥
In a significant move to bolster the local coffee industry, the Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST), in partnership with the De La Salle University (DLSU), signed a Memorandum of Agreement to establish a Coffee Laboratory at SPAMAST Malita, Davao Occidental on July 29,2024.
The agreement was formalized during the Provincial Coffee Industry Forum, a key event in the celebration of MSME Week held at the ABC Gymnasium in Malita, Davao Occidental, with a theme “Innovate to Elevate MSMEs: Sustainable Innovation Driving Growth and Resilience in MSMEs.”
The establishment of the Coffee Laboratory aims to enhance the quality and competitiveness of local coffee products by providing essential facilities and support for coffee testing, research, and development. This initiative is expected to benefit coffee farmers and entrepreneurs in the province, fostering sustainable growth and innovation within the coffee sector.
Key officials from SPAMAST headed by the President, Dr. Lynette A. Bontia, and DLSU, along with local government representatives and MSME stakeholders, attended the event. The forum highlighted the importance of sustainable innovation in driving growth and resilience among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
DTI representatives emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting MSMEs through initiatives like the Coffee Laboratory, which will serve as a hub for knowledge exchange and capacity building. The laboratory is set to play a crucial role in improving the overall quality and marketability of coffee from Davao Occidental, contributing to the region’s economic development.
The collaboration between SPAMAST, DLSU and DTI marks a milestone in the ongoing efforts to promote sustainable development and innovation within the MSME sector, reinforcing the vital role of partnerships in achieving economic resilience and growth.
