To affirm the City Government’s ongoing support for agricultural development, Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman joined the Isabela City Coffee Growers Association (ICCGA) during its 2nd Quarter Meeting on July 30, held at the residence of ICCGA president Lee Roy Brown.
The meeting discussed key updates including production performance, association registration status, and efforts to formally organize a women’s coffee pickers group—a move that recognizes the crucial role of women in coffee post-harvest operations. Discussions also covered the RSBSA (Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture) registration of members, as well as initial preparations for the Coffee Month celebration.
Mayor Turabin-Hataman emphasized the city’s strong commitment to helping farmers gain access to institutional support, increase productivity, and improve the market viability of their crops.
The ICCGA remains at the forefront of promoting sustainable and community-based coffee farming in Isabela City. From October 2023 to July 2025, the organization recorded a total of 84 members, with 16 in 2023, 25 in 2024, and 43 in 2025, showing growth over three years, consistently higher female participation than male, peak membership in May 2025.
In partnership with agencies such as CENRO, BJMP, and local civic groups, the ICCGA also conducted coffee tree–growing activities. Since the rollout of the City Government’s coffee propagation initiative in October 2023, a total of 49,200 coffee seedlings have been distributed to farmers across 14 barangays in Isabela City. With an estimated market value of P175 per seedling, the cumulative worth of the distributed seedlings now stands at approximately P8.61 million.
RSBSA data shows that 53 coffee growers affiliated with ICCGA are now registered. Of these, 34 are active ICCGA members, while 19 are non members who have also completed registration. An additional 15 ICCGA members are currently unregistered and being assisted for inclusion, and 34 more members are undergoing RSBSA processing.
Also in attendance were ICCGA secretary Eugene Strong, treasurer Merha Hadji Uddin, auditor Justin Brian Dumadaug, and board member Nazzer Lim. Also present were City Agriculture Office (CAgO) Agriculturist II Jonathan Pedillon, and Engr. III Nur Tasneem Sali, among others. (Words by SJ Asakil/Photos by M. Santos, CIO)
