Picture of Joeven C. Calasagsag
Coffee project helps BSU students
by Joeven C. Calasagsag - Thursday, 25 March 2010, 08:56 AM
 
March 24, 2010, 6:33pm
http://www.e-extension.gov.ph/elearning/mod/forum/view.php?f=69

Students who are interested to pursue graduate and undergraduate studies in a discipline related to Arabica coffee production and processing at the Benguet State University (BSU) can benefit from the agreements signed by the Benguet State University with the Canadian company Rocky Mountain Arabica Coffee Company, Inc. (RMACC).

That’s because the BSU has agreed to allow RMACC to install Rocky Mountain Café (RMC) franchise(s) at the BSU campus, and the first one of which is now operational at the BSU Marketing Center.

The agreement, which was signed last January by Dr. Rogelio Colting, BSU president, and Rodrigo A. Vagilidad Sr., RMACC president, aims to generate profits that will be used to finance scholarships for students who are interested to pursue studies related to Arabica coffee production or processing at BSU. Another goal is to create job opportunities for BSU students.

Ma. Elizabeth Calalo, RMC marketing officer for Baguio and Benguet said that part of the proceeds from every cup of coffee bought at the RMC kiosk located at BSU Marketing Center goes to the BSU Scholarship Program. RMC sells freshly brewed Arabica coffee in variants such as black coffee, espresso, café latte, mochachino and english toffee. It also sells ready-to-brew ground and whole Arabica coffee beans in 250-gram and 500-gram packs.

At present, the RMC kiosk at the BSU Marketing Center employs five students who have to render 12 hours of work per week within Monday to Saturday. They said that the salary that they got from working in the kiosk somehow helps them defray their schooling expenses.

Aside from the scholarship, RMACC also agrees to provide thesis support grants to BSU undergraduate and graduate degree students as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.

Another agreement also allows RMACC to use the existing BSU coffee processing facility located at the Institute of Highland Farming Systems and Agroforestry in Bektey, Longlong Puguis, La Trinidad, Benguet to establish a BSU-Rocky Mountain Coffee Arabica Processing Facility to process RMACC Arabica coffee.

Rocky Mountain is engaged in the production of Arabica coffee from planting of the coffee trees, harvesting, roasting and grinding of coffee beans in conformity with organic farming principles and SCAA standards.

It partners with coffee farmers in Tuba, Kibungan and Atok in the production of organically grown Arabica coffee. — Melpha M. Abello
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