Cordillera can be tea hub of Northern PH - Diclas

Benguet, Philippines – The mountainous terrain and climate condition of Cordillera makes the region ideal for being the Northern Philippines’ tea hub, says Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas during a forum in Quezon City Thursday, June 29, 2023.

Dubbed as the Pandesal Forum on Philippine Tea, the event gathered leaders and investors to discuss efforts in tea promotion in Cordillera.

Just like in some mountainous areas of China where tea plantations alleviated poverty and uplifted farmers’ income, tea plantation can also help in the socio-economic development in the region, Diclas stated.

Tea, he said, can be added as a high-value crop in Cordillera which is known for agriculture. The popular commodity contains less caffeine than coffee and offers various health benefits.

Dominique Molintas, through her academic and scientific study on feasibility of growing tea in Benguet, indicates the region’s potential in tea production.

The Director of Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Plant Industry, Dr. Gerald Glenn Panganiban, informed the Chinese investors that the country imported 134 metric tons of tea from January to May 2023 from Vietnam and China.

“I think tea also has agri-tourism potential like what Osulloc Tea did on Jeju Island in South Korea… On the DA side, maybe we can include tea in the list of high-value crops if it is included in the Benguet Provincial Industry Development Plans

Responding to Diclas’ request, the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc., investors and entrepreneurs who were in attendance signified their support for said venture and advised Filipinos to study tea market conditions and popularize the same.

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