Project MOCHA Gains Momentum: NBSC, UPLB Leaders Meet with Farmers, LGU Officials
Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, Philippines, January 23, 2025—Project MOCHA, an initiative aimed at supporting Indigenous farmers and their heritage products, took a significant step forward today with a series of productive meetings with the NBSC team, farmer beneficiaries, and the local government officials.
Dr. Nathaniel Bantayan, Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and project leader of Project MOCHA, visited the Northern Bukidnon State College (NBSC) to discuss the project’s progress and future directions.
The day began with a meeting at the NBSC Board Room, attended by Dr. Bantayan, NBSC College President Dr. Christie Jean Villanueva-Ganiera, CESE, Vice President for Administration and Finance Dr. Helen E. Maasin, Director for Research Development and Innovation Division Dr. Mary Koren Witting-Acuesa, Municipal Agriculturist of Manolo Fortich Ms. Gemma Cania, Agricultural Technologist Ms. Razel Cabajes, and the NBSC project team led by Research Assistant Ms. Charlene Bulahan-Undag. The group reviewed the project’s achievements, identified challenges, and discussed strategies to further scale the Project. Dr. Bantayan also personally invited the dignitaries of NBSC, the Project MOCHA team, and representatives of the indigenous farmers to the upcoming AgCultivate conference of which several institutions from Canada and the Philippines are attending. The said conference will highlight Project MOCHA as the first successful Project since the founding of the Philippine-Canada Network for Sustainability (PCNS) on January 2023. This event will also serve as a valuable platform to showcase the Project’s impact and promote the Indigenous farmers’ nutritious and culturally significant heritage products.
In the afternoon, the team engaged with recipient farmers from four barangays in Manolo Fortich: Lindaban, Kalugmanan, Santiago, and Guilang-guilang. During the session, Dr. Bantayan delivered an inspiring message centered on gratitude (pagpapasalamat) and invitation (pag-imbita). He expressed heartfelt appreciation to the farmers, the MAO, and the entire project team for their unwavering dedication and contributions to Project MOCHA. Dr. Bantayan also extended an invitation to all stakeholders to continue collaborating as the project advances, emphasizing the collective effort required to achieve its goals of empowering Indigenous farmers and preserving their heritage products. The session concluded with an open forum where farmers shared their experiences and posed questions.
To further solidify support for the project, the team paid a courtesy visit to the Honorable Mayor of Manolo Fortich, Rogelio N. Quiño. Mayor Quiño expressed his full support for Project MOCHA and his hope for its continued success in empowering local farmers.
As one of the living legacies of the Former NBSC College President and Co-Project Leader, Dr. Catherine Roween C. Almaden, Project MOCHA continues to pave the way for sustainable agriculture and the preservation of Indigenous farming traditions, bringing hope and opportunity to the farmers of Bukidnon.
In this ongoing journey, Dr. Christie Jean Villanueva-Ganiera expressed her continuous commitment to ensure that Project MOCHA receives the necessary resources and support to thrive, further enhancing its influence and reach within the community.
