IN a move to boost the coffee industry in Cagayan Valley (Region 2), the Cagayan State University (CSU) Lal-lo Campus launched its Coffeehub Café and Hacienda Valena Viewdeck project that the university said "marks a new chapter in the campus' focus on its niche in coffee production and processing."
"The Coffeehub Café will not only showcase originally blended coffee under research but also serve as a showroom for coffee-based food products for sale and a training ground for students," said CSU Officer in Charge President Arthur Ibañez.
"These initiatives are part of the P5 million Research, Instruction, Production and Extension (Ripe) Coffeehub Project of CSU Lal-lo aimed at promoting sustainable coffee production and processing on campus' Coffeehub Café and Hacienda Valena Viewdeck," he added.
The Hacienda Valena Viewdeck is designed to resemble the iconic Magapit Bridge in Lal-lo and will offer visitors a stunning view of the campus' coffee plantation.
During the groundbreaking on June 15 for the project, coffee seedlings were also planted and was participated by the university president, Lal-lo Mayor Florante Pascual, Vice Mayor Olivia Pascual, CSU Vice President Junel Guzman, CSU campuses chief executive officers Pol Mabborang, Froilan Pacris Jr. and Rodel Alegado, and other university officials.
"This initiative aims to enhance coffee production at CSU Lal-lo and promote sustainability in the region," Ibañez said.
Also during the event, memorandums of understanding were signed between CSU and the local government unit (LGU) of Lal-lo, as well as CSU and Magapit National High and Barangay Logac in Lal-lo town.
Ibañez said the agreements focus on projects such as road improvement for the Valena Coffee Plantation and community empowerment through coffee production.
The partnership also includes the supply of roasted and blended Oliviante Original CSU Blend Coffee Beans for the LGU coffee shop Café Nueva Segovia.
Ibañez said that the continuous development of the university campus in Lal-lo town through the Ripe Coffeehub Program "signals a promising future for the university and the Lal-lo municipality, with a strong emphasis on innovation, sustainability and community empowerment."
