Coffee (Coffea spp.) Production Systems, Postharvest Innovations, and Quantitative and Agroecological Dynamics in the Davao Region, Philippines
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29244/jtcs.13.01.174-186Keywords:
agroecology, Coffea spp., postharvest processing, specialty coffee production, sustainable plantation systems, value chain developmentAbstract
Coffee (Coffea spp.) is a globally significant tropical plantation crop, and the Davao Region in the Philippines is one of the country’s most dynamic production zones, thanks to its favorable volcanic soils, diverse microclimates, and evolving value chain ecosystems. With an estimated 15,821.68 ha under cultivation, the region supports all major Coffea species. Coffea arabica thrives above 1,000 m asl in highland zones such as Balutakay, Maragusan, and upland Davao City; Robusta dominates lower elevations, while Liberica and Excelsa occupy smaller areas as complementary tropical crop components. Agroecological sustainability is promoted through shade-based agroforestry systems that enhance biodiversity, soil fertility, and climate resilience. Postharvest innovations such as natural, honey, and micro-lot fermentation, alongside the expansion of community-based roasting facilities, have enabled specialty-grade production and improved access to premium domestic and international markets. Emerging trends presented at the Davao Regional Coffee Expo (DRCE) 2025 include the increased adoption of climate-resilient genetic varieties artificial intelligence-based plantation monitoring, gender-inclusive entrepreneurship, and youth participation in value-added roles such as roasting, cupping, and barista craftsmanship. However, persistent constraints, including aging plantations, low productivity, limited seedling supply, postharvest infrastructure gaps, market dependency on intermediaries, and inconsistent institutional support, continue to limit the sector’s tropical crop competitiveness. This status report consolidates insights on production systems, agroecological management, postharvest innovations, and socio-economic challenges to provide a strategic outlook for strengthening coffee as a sustainable tropical plantation crop within the Davao Region and similar highland environments in Southeast Asia.
References
Amrouk, E. M., Palmeri, F., & Magrini, E. (2025). Global coffee market and recent price developments. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cd4706en
Asefa, G., Mohammed, H., & Ayano, A. (2021). Hybrid vigour study of yield and yield related characters on Limmu coffee (Coffea arabica L.) genotypes at south-western Ethiopia. Journal of Tropical Crop Science, 8(2), 89–100. https://doi.org/10.29244/jtcs.8.02.89-100
Aswathi, K. N., & Murthy, P. S. (2024). Pulped natural/honey 100287. coffee process: An innovative approach. Food and Humanity, 2, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foohum.2024.100287
Cahyono, A. A., Ardie, S. W., Rubiyo, R., & Sudarsono, S. (2024). Genetic diversity of yellow and red berries in Arabica coffee populations grown in mixed populations in Garut, West Java, Indonesia, based on SSR markers. Journal of Tropical Crop Science, 11(3), 207–216. https://doi.org/10.29244/jtcs.11.03.207-216
CoffeeBI. (2024, July 21). The Philippines: Rich history and evolving culture of coffee. Coffee Business Intelligence. https://coffeebi.com/2024/07/21/the-rich-history-and-evolving-culture-of-coffee-in-the philippines/
Crawford, J. (1852). History of coffee. Journal of the Statistical Society of London, 15(1), 50–58.
Harvey, C. A., Pritts, A. A., Zwetsloot, M. J., Jansen, K., Pulleman, M. M., Armbrecht, I., Avelino, J., Barrera, J. F., Bunn, C., Garcia, J. H., Isaza, C., Munoz-Ucros, J., Pérez-Alemán, C. J., Rahn, E., R., Robiglio, V., Somarriba, E., & Valencia, V. (2021). Transformation of coffee-growing landscapes across Latin America: A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 41(5), Article 62. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-021-00712-0
Ibrahim, M. S. D., Hartati, R. R. S., Rubiyo, R., Purwito, A., & Sudarsono, S. (2016). The induction of primary and secondary somatic embryos to support Arabica coffee propagation. Journal of Tropical Crop Science, 2(3), 6–13. https://doi.org/10.29244/jtcs.2.3.6-13
Irawan, A. (2025). The smallholder coffee farmer’s livelihood adaptation strategies in Bengkulu, Indonesia. Journal of Strategy and Management, 18(1), 73–95. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSMA-04-2023-0082
Kusnendi, F. S., Supijatno, S., Wachjar, A., Hidayat, Y., & Suseno, S. H. (2020). Study of intercropping system and in situ organic matter application on coffee agroforestry at Citarum Watershed, West Java, Indonesia. Journal of Tropical Crop Science, 7(2), 51 58. https://doi.org/10.29244/jtcs.7.02.51-58
Leal, I., Ramos, L. M., Ma-ata, M. F. S., Micutuan, C., Pieza, J., & Gutana, K. B. (2025). Transforming tropical crops: Postharvest processing and enterprise viability of MaCoMa coffee blend in Davao Oriental, Philippines. Journal of Tropical Crop Science, 12(3), 584–593. https://doi.org/10.29244/jtcs.12.03.584-593
Majeed, F., Raza, A., Munir, A., & Hensel, O. (2022). Development and experiments on a batch-type solar roaster—An innovative decentralized system for coffee roasting. Sustainability, 14(4), 2217. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042217
Martinez, S. J., Rabelo, M. H. S., Bressani, A. P. P., Da Mota, M. C. B., Borém, F. M., & Schwan, R. F. (2021). Novel stainless steel tanks enhance the quality of coffee fermentation. Food Research International, 139, 109921. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109921
Nemenzo-Calica, P., Pateño-Bongas, H., Magallones, M. O. G., & Clapano, M. B. (2024). Sustainability in small-scale coffee farming: Agricultural practices, women’s role, and climate change adaptation along the buffer zone of Mt. Hamiguitan, Davao Oriental, Philippines. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202411.0306.v1
Pantoja, J. F. (2025, March 14). How Coffee for Peace promotes women empowerment in the BARMM. Coffee for Peace. https://coffeeforpeace.com/2025/03/14/how-coffee-for-peace-promotes-women-empowerment-in-the-barmm/
Purwawangsa, H., Irfany, M. I., & Haq, D. A. (2024). Indonesian coffee exports’ competitiveness and determinants. Jurnal Manajemen & Agribisnis, 21(1), 59. https://doi.org/10.17358/jma.21.1.59
Rohman, F., Wachjar, A., Santosa, E., & Abdoellah, S. (2019). Humic acid and biofertilizer applications enhanced pod and cocoa bean production during the dry season at Kaliwining Plantation, Jember, East Java, Indonesia. Journal of Tropical Crop Science, 6(3), 153–163. https://doi.org/10.29244/jtcs.6.03.153-163
Siles, P., Cerdán, C. R., & Staver, C. (2022). Smallholder coffee in the global economy: A framework to explore transformation alternatives of traditional agroforestry for greater economic, ecological, and livelihood viability. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 6, 808207. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2022.808207
Sumulong, L. (2024, September 23). Region 11 farmers empowered and coffee standards elevated at the Davao Regional Coffee Expo 2024. Coffee for Peace. https://coffeeforpeace.com/2024/09/23/region-11-farmers-empowered-and-coffee-standards-elevated-at-the-davao-regional-coffee-expo-2024/
Suryana, A. T., Saleh, Y., Dewi, T. G., & Rahayu, H. S. P. (2024). Global competitiveness of coffee products: A comparative study of Indonesia and Vietnam. Coffee Science, 19, e192237. https://doi.org/10.25186/.v19i.2237
van Noordwijk, M., Martini, E., Gusli, S., Roshetko, J. M., Leimona, B., & Nguyen, M. P. (2021). Cocoa and coffee in Asia: Contrasts and similarities in production and value addition. In P. A. Minang, L. A. Duguma, & M. van Noordwijk (Eds.), Tree commodities and resilient green economies in Africa (pp. 1–22). CIFOR ICRAF.
Yang, C. Y., Lu, C. C., Chiu, Y. H., & Lin, T. Y. (2022). Analysis of coffee production efficiency and in productivity strategy African and non-African countries. Agribusiness, 38(4), 946–969. https://doi.org/10.1002/agr.21759
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
All publications by Journal of Tropical Crop Science is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
