Bukidnon farmers dominate the NorthMin Coffee Competition
Claveria, Misamis Oriental—As coffee prices rise due to low supply, farmers in Bukidnon are finding new ways to improve both the quantity and quality of their coffee. Their efforts paid off in a recent regional coffee competition, where they showed they are among the best in Northern Mindanao.
At the 2025 Northern Mindanao Regional Coffee Quality Competition, held from March 11 to 15, 2025, Bukidnon farmers won most of the top awards. Farmer-members from the Bayanihan Millennium Multipurpose Cooperative (BMMPC) dominated the robusta category, with Primitiva Mahumot taking first place. Four other BMMPC farmers also placed in the same category. In the arabica category, Henry Janubas Sr. claimed the top prize.
A total of forty-two (42) green coffee bean entries were submitted and graded from the provinces of Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, and Misamis Oriental. Nine certified Q Graders — experts in coffee quality — graded the beans through roasting and tasting.
The competition was organized by the Department of Trade and Industry Region 10, with support from the Department of Agriculture, RAPID Growth Project, the Northern Mindanao Coffee Council, and the Peace and Equity Foundation.
Brewing success through training and support
Behind the success of these farmers lie years of dedication and learning. BMMPC General Manager Leonila Secadron attributes their strong performance to rigorous training and the consistent application of good farming practices. “We held several training sessions on best practices, organized by the Peace and Equity Foundation. We also worked with ACDI-VOCA to help our farmers grow more coffee and improve its quality,” she said.
Alma Hewe, who placed second in the robusta category, emphasized how the cooperative helped them prepare their competition entries and gave technical advice from their Q-grader.
For first-time winner Neil Guinontao of Kauyagan Savers Multipurpose Cooperative, who secured fourth place in the arabica category, his meticulous preparation and training as a Q grader made a big difference.
“I focused on green grading and selecting the best cherries and applied the knowledge I gained from the training. ” he shared.
The winners will now move on to the Philippine Coffee Quality Competition to compete on a national level and show that their coffee is among the best in the country.
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