Local Eco-Entrepreneurship in Coffee Farming Communities of Sultan Kudarat, Philippines

抄録

Eco-entrepreneurship refers to social enterprises formed to address local and global problems such as poverty and climate change. This study examines two developing coffee enterprises based in the municipalities of Kalamansig and Lebak in the province of Sultan Kudarat and employs focus group discussions and SWOT analysis to understand the strategies adopted by coffee farmer associations. A survey was conducted to assess the participants’ readiness to engage in community-based entrepreneurial activities. The two producer associations represent less than 5% of the total coffee growers in their Barangays. These farmer associations were formed to access assistance from the government and other donors. Additionally, they aim to consolidate their production to meet the volume and quality specifications of major buyers in the future. Moreover, the members expressed interest in establishing a trading store to consolidate coffee beans from both members and nonmembers. However, they currently lack working capital, as the association is expected to pay cash upon delivery of Green Coffee Beans (GCB). Association members also face several ecological and erratic climatic conditions, such as heavy rains and landslides, which continually affect coffee production. These challenges present significant obstacles to their operations; however, the spirit of cooperation among members signals growth and progress. One of the community activities that the association members participated in was tree planting in forested areas to reduce landslide incidence. Despite entrepreneurial and environmental uncertainties, the association has been exploring consolidated trading by engaging with a cooperative for a possible market arrangement. The association plans to unite and enhance each member’s competencies and inspire other farmers to join by implementing meaningful capacity building and entrepreneurial activities. Moreover, the association has joined a network of coffee farmers to collectively address the environmental and economic challenges they face.