Seven R Coffee: Rey John Basco's Journey to Empower Coffee Farmers

 

Rey John Basco is convinced that coffee farming can be a profitable venture. Drawing inspiration from his father's work in the field, Basco believes that coffee has the potential to not only improve their financial situation but also that of other farmers in the region.

Basco hails from the town of Senator Ninoy Aquino, commonly known as "Kulaman," in the province of Sultan Kudarat. According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority for 2021, Sultan Kudarat province is the top coffee producer in the Philippines, accounting for 35 percent of the country's total coffee production. As a result, it attracts investors, particularly coffee companies, who source the majority of their coffee from Basco's town and its neighboring municipalities.

"In the early 2000s, our family used to trade for a large company. However, before becoming an independent coffee producer, we realized that such an arrangement was not sustainable in the long run," Basco recalled.

In pursuit of greater opportunities, the Basco family established their brand, Seven R Coffee, in 2012. The name was inspired by the first initials of the siblings’ first names and their mother. They began by selling commercially graded coffee, roasted using a traditional method with a stainless drum. By 2015, they had completed all the necessary documentation to fully operate as a business.

Although he grew up around coffee, Basco pursued a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems at Sultan Kudarat State University. In 2018, while still in college, he decided to venture into the coffee business. He started with no land or farm of his own. His father first planted 1,000 hills of coffee, and eventually, he began to source it from other farmers.

Basco's interest in coffee grew even stronger when various interventions were introduced, including technical support from the Department of Trade and Industry and the ACDI/VOCA-PhilCAFE project. These interventions aided their coffee farming and production efforts, underscoring the importance of producing high-quality Robusta coffee.

Basco was fortunate to receive various coffee training opportunities, including earning a Q Processing Professional certification. This achievement made him one of only three Q Processing Professionals in Region 12. This certification is designed for individuals who work regularly with the post-harvest processing of coffee. The course was facilitated by the Coffee Quality Institute in collaboration with the ACDI/VOCA-PhilCAFE Project.

Armed with his newfound knowledge of coffee, Basco is eager to share it with his fellow coffee farmers and producers. However, he acknowledges that he has encountered difficulties in imparting his knowledge, particularly to older farmers who are still attached to traditional agricultural practices.

"Many of them won’t believe me because I’m still young and have not proven anything yet in the local coffee industry. Despite this, I remain resolute in my determination to share my knowledge and contribute to the improvement of coffee farming practices within my community," he said.

One effective method of persuading older coffee farmers to adopt good agricultural practices is to participate in prestigious coffee competitions, such as the Kape Dose Coffee Quality Competition and the Philippine Coffee Quality Competition (PCQC). These events provide an opportunity to showcase the benefits of modern farming techniques and their impact on the quality of the coffee produced.

The Basco family achieved great success at the 2023 Kape Dose Coffee Quality Competition. Rian Vonn Basco was awarded the title of Best Fine Robusta in the region, with a score of 84.33. Cipriano Basco placed 6th with a score of 83.58, while Edna Basco came in 9th with a score of 82.67. Rey John Basco himself secured the 12th position with a score of 81.42.

Basco first participated in PCQC in 2017 and was awarded the Best Washed Process in the Robusta category. In the 2022 PCQC, he secured 3rd place in the Robusta category, and in 2023, he achieved 8th place. These consistent results demonstrate his ability to produce high-quality Robusta coffee that can compete on a global level.

Basco was honored with the CQI Merit Award at the 2023 Philippine Coffee Expo's closing ceremony on June 4th at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. He was recognized as an "Exceptional Coffee Processor" for his significant contributions to the Philippine coffee sector. Basco was among the Q Professionals who received this prestigious award.

Basco was also allowed to showcase his coffee at various international expos, including the 2022 South Korea CaféShow and the 2023 Specialty Coffee Expo in Portland, Oregon. These events provided him with a platform to share his passion for coffee and connect with other industry professionals from around the world.

Now that they have established a name for themselves through their participation in various competitions, the Basco family has been able to boost their brand and ensure its sustainability. They are committed to maintaining the high quality of their coffee and are actively educating their suppliers on best practices. By doing so, they hope to continue producing exceptional coffee that meets the highest standards.

On October 29, 2022, Seven R Café opened its doors in Tacurong City. The café serves locally produced coffee and aims to promote the local coffee industry.

Basco acknowledges that there is still much room for improvement and development in their coffee farming and production. He does not claim to be successful. Instead, he wants to remain grounded and focused on helping the coffee industry. As a 24-year-old agripreneur, he still has a lot to contribute to the industry.

"I envision that we will become one of the biggest producers of Robusta coffee in the country. I want to help promote Sultan Kudarat coffee and be able to help the farmers. This will provide job opportunities in the local community, particularly for IP youth and farmers."

By purchasing coffee cherries from farmers at a premium price, he helps them increase their income, provided that they produce high-quality cherries. To buy fresh cherries within the Sultan Kudarat province, he requires additional capital. He has established a direct market in Manila and other parts of the country. He is working towards exporting coffee from Sultan Kudarat to the global market.

Despite being recognized for his efforts and having established a strong network in the coffee industry, Basco recognizes that there is a need for a steady supply of coffee as demand has risen in recent years.

"It is important to never stop learning about coffee and how to handle it. The coffee industry is constantly evolving with new techniques and methods. It is essential to stay up to date to produce the best possible cup of coffee," he said.