Roan Basco’s early exposure to coffee farming ignited his appreciation for the industry. His father, Cipriano Basco Jr., frequently brought him to their farm, subtly introducing him to the life of a farmer and the importance of agriculture in society.
Unlike his brother, Rey John, who is the public face of their coffee trading business, Roan prefers to work behind the scenes, focusing on the processing aspect. He is passionate about roasting and experimenting with coffee fermentation methods.
“It is a challenge to improve the fermentation process in our coffee production. That is why I like to experiment and improve it,” he said.
In the Municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino, locally known as Kulaman, in Sultan Kudarat, most coffee farmers initially practiced unsustainable agriculture. They did not follow international standards for coffee farming and processing. The low price of coffee discouraged many farmers from continuing.
However, intervention by various agencies and NGOs helped these farmers appreciate the value of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). These practices improved farm operations, crop care, and coffee bean processing. The Basco family was one of the beneficiaries of this intervention. Roan is grateful for the coffee programs, which expanded his knowledge of coffee farming and production.
To test their knowledge of coffee, the Basco family participated in competitions to measure their progress. Over the years, they have joined various coffee competitions, including the Kape Dose Coffee Quality Competitions and the Philippine Coffee Quality Competitions (PCQC). In the 2024 PCQC, the Basco brothers—Rey John and Roan—secured the top 1 and top 2 spots, respectively.
“It was my first time joining PCQC. I did not expect to be in the top 2,” Roan shared.
With the recognition the Basco family received, they also share their knowledge with other coffee farmers, especially in Kulaman, and extend their expertise to other industry players who wish to enhance their coffee knowledge.
Despite the challenges they have faced, Roan emphasized that the family remains committed and passionate about helping the local coffee industry.
“Our father always said that we should never lose hope in whatever venture we pursue. Success cannot be achieved overnight. You have to try and try until you achieve your dream,” Roan said.
0 Comments