DTI’s RAPID Growth Project empowers farmers in Misamis Oriental with new farm-to-market road | Department of Trade and Industry Philippines

Misamis Oriental, Philippines—The Department of Trade and Industry Region 10 (DTI R10), through its Rural Agro-Enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project, broke ground on a new 1.2-kilometer farm-to-market road in Opol on June 10.

Spearheaded by DTI R10 in collaboration with the Department of the Interior and Local Government Region 10 and the local government unit of Opol, this initiative aims to significantly improve market access for local farmers.

As a key component of the RAPID Growth Project, this farm-to-market road was funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development. This value chain-based program with a PHP 30.2 million project cost targets to forge strategic partnerships among small farmers, rural entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders in the coffee, cacao, coconut, and processed fruits and nuts sectors.

This project directly benefits over 50 coffee farmers and more than 400 other farmers in the Nangcaon Tribal Farmers Association. By cutting transportation costs and reducing post-harvest losses, this road is expected to significantly boost the income of small farmers and rural entrepreneurs by 60%.

DTI Region 10 Regional Director Ruel Paclipan urged farmers to build on the economic opportunities from the project as it promotes a conducive environment for micro, small, and medium enterprises.

Meanwhile, former Nangcaon Tribal Farmers Organization Vice Chairperson Rolando Mangconsay expressed his gratitude for the training and seminars provided by the RAPID Growth Project.

“Dako kaayo ang kalipay nga gibati sa farmer’s association tungod kay nakit-an namo nga ang among mga damgo kaniadto sa daghan nga mga katuigan, karon amo nakita na nga dili na damgo kung dili tinuod nga among nasaksihan karong buntaga. Nga aduna nay dako na kausaban sa among pagmanguma diri tungod kay wala nay rason ang mga farmers dili na maningkamot mupa-improve sa ilang mga kaumahan tungod kay anaa na ang tabang gikan sa gobyerno ilabi na sa RAPID Growth ug sa DTI (The farmers are very happy to witness that the dreams that we had over the years have become a reality this morning. There is a big change in our farming because the farmers will no longer have a reason not to improve because we now have assistance provided by the government, especially from RAPID Growth and DTI),” said Mangconsay. ♦

Date of Release: 11 June 2024

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