Hunger and malnutrition are among the most urgent concerns of Filipinos, heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey by the Social Weather Stations found that 20.9 percent or 5.2 million Filipinos experienced hunger from May to July 2020, the highest recorded since September 2014.
In addressing this challenge, Task Force Zero Hunger (TFZH) has initiated Pilipinas Kontra Gutom (PKG), a national and multi-sectoral movement against hunger composed of government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private companies from different industries. The program aims to reach one million Filipinos by 2022 and end hunger in 2030 by implementing the following work streams: ensuring food availability and accessibility, securing nutrition adequacy, and providing assistance for farmers and fisherfolk.
Nestlé agronomist conducting training for farmers under the Nescafé Plan
Within PKG, Nestlé Philippines through its NESCAFÉ Plan will provide mentorship in agricultural technology and training to farmers, with the NESCAFÉ Better Farming Practices helping them improve the quality and quantity of their coffee yields using more sustainable and profitable methods.
The NESCAFÉ Plan is a global initiative that helps ensure a sustainable supply of quality green coffee. Through it, coffee farmers are provided access to superior quality plantlets, technology transfer via training, a support network of agronomists, and strategically located buying stations close to coffee areas so farmers can sell directly to Nestlé.
Fourth from left is Sec. William Dar - Secretary of Department of Agriculture, who led the National Food Security Summit with the theme “Food for today and beyond: transforming Philippine Agriculture”. During the closing ceremony, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles presented Pilipinas Kontra Gutom with support from the private sector including Nestlé PH.
