In June 2019, a new project funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) was launched in Region 8 named Rural Agro-Enterprise Partner for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth).

The project is designed to promote business partnerships between small and medium entrepreneurs and farmers, complemented with investments that facilitate their access to support and financial services, and improve its engagement in agricultural processing and value addition.

With the RAPID Growth Project, a Product Quality and Standards Compliance Online Orientation Series is being conducted by the Department. For its first half, an online orientation on the FDA License to Operate (LTO) and Certificate of Product Registration (CPR)was conducted last September 10, 2020 in partnership with Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Field Office 8 through a Zoom Video Conference.

Participated by MSMEs from Leyte, Southern Leyte and Northern Samar, this online discussion is a venue for learning on how to further expand the MSME’s businesses and market demand by complying with FDA standards and requirements. This was followed by a physical meeting of the RAPID Growth Coordinating group and assisted entrepreneurs in Northern Samar.

Its priority commodities are coconut, cacao, coffee and processed fruits and nuts which aims to alleviate poverty incidence and unemployment among rural men and women in these sectors. The project is currently implemented in three identified provinces – Leyte, Southern Leyte and Northern Samar. ♦

Date of Release: 1 October 2020