The 1st Kalinga Coffee Summit, held at the Kalinga Sports Center, marked a significant milestone in the province’s coffee industry with the introduction of the first-ever locally developed Smart Coffee Roaster Machine. This pioneering innovation was spearheaded by Andy Mulato, Program Chairman of the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (BSABE) at Kalinga State University (KSU), and Solomon Lao-aten, a KSU instructor and thesis adviser. Their collaboration brought to the forefront the ingenuity of KSU students, whose engineering skills were instrumental in developing this groundbreaking technology.
The summit showcased the Smart Coffee Roaster Machine alongside a coffee grinding and packaging machine, both products of KSU Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering students’ thesis projects. These machines are designed to revolutionize the local coffee production process by automating key stages such as roasting, grinding, and packaging, while ensuring the quality of Kalinga’s renowned coffee remains consistent. This innovation not only simplifies the process but also preserves the unique taste and aroma that Kalinga coffee is known for.
Andy Mulato highlighted that the Smart Coffee Roaster can roast up to 5 kilograms of coffee beans per batch, and it features programmable settings that allow users to adjust the roast color, from brown to black.
He emphasized that these capabilities make the machine a versatile tool for local coffee producers, improving efficiency and quality. Mulato further mentioned plans to patent the machine to protect intellectual property rights and prevent imitation.
KSU is now actively seeking partnerships with coffee producers and investors to bring the Smart Coffee Roaster into wider use. Collaborations would enable the mass production of the machine, opening doors for KSU to present the innovation at local, national, and international exhibitions. Such exposure could attract further interest in financing and adoption, ultimately benefiting the province’s coffee industry.
With an estimated cost of PHP 30,000 to 40,000, the Smart Coffee Roaster is an affordable solution for local coffee producers. If support is secured for mass production, Mulato expressed optimism about creating an advanced prototype to further enhance the machine’s capabilities.
During the summit, KSU also presented a coffee grinder and packaging machine, a complementary technology that partners with the Smart Coffee Roaster to streamline the entire coffee production process. These innovations showcase the potential of KSU’s young engineers to transform agricultural practices, particularly in the growing coffee industry of Kalinga.
Mulato also revealed that KSU is welcoming proposals to pilot the use of these machines in local coffee production areas. This forward-looking approach highlights the university’s commitment to supporting local farmers and advancing the province’s agricultural sector.
This achievement not only strengthens the connection between education and local enterprise but also emphasizes the potential of Kalinga’s youth in driving technological innovation and transforming the agricultural landscape of the province. By Jesse Maguiya
