Coffee farmers’ kids to get educational aid from Nescafe

MANILA  -Nescafé, the soluble coffee brand of Nestlé Philippines, is providing P10 million in educational assistance for coffee farmers’ children.

Called Kape’t Bisig sa Pagbangon, it has partnered with three universities in Mindanao, namely Sultan Kudarat State University, Central Mindanao University and University of Southern Mindanao, to help coffee farmers’ children who are studying agriculture-related courses.

Four hundred students will each receive P25,000 to finance their academic requirements.

“Education is a cornerstone in securing the future of farmers’ children; and having educated youth in agriculture is essential to ensure the attainment of a food-secure and resilient future,” Nestlé Philippines head of corporate affairs Jose Uy III said.

“Kape’t Bisig aims to help build a new generation of farmers, agriculturists and rural development champions, while continuing in its commitment to transform farmers into agripreneurs through the Nescafé Plan initiatives,” Uy said.

Aside from the grant, Nescafé unveiled its social media campaign dubbed the Kape’t Bisig Music Challenge to support local coffee farmers and spur interest among the young in agriculture.

“There is a need to find new ways to help Filipino youth become attuned to agriculture, so engaging with them on the social media platforms they are active in, and connecting with them through the content they love – such as music and dance – are positive steps we are taking to help instill a positive inclination towards farming,” Igi Natanauan, assistant brand manager for Nescafé Classic, said.