RAPID Growth Project - Caraga

29/11/2025

29/11/2025

28/11/2025

28/11/2025

20/11/2025

16/11/2025

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga, through the RAPID Growth Project, officially kickstarted the implementation of the Detailed Investment Plan for the Coconut Commodity through the Bansalan Cooperative Society (BCS) Multipurpose Cooperative AgriBEST Immersion Program, conducted on November 10–14, 2025 in Bansalan, Davao del Sur.

This five-day immersive learning experience aimed to strengthen the capabilities of coconut cooperatives and promote sustainable, market-oriented agribusiness models in the Caraga Region.

The program featured intensive learning and practical exposure activities, including:
• Agroenterprise Clustering Approach (AECA): Farmers’ market-oriented production and collective marketing in collaboration with MASS-SPECC Cooperative Development Center
• Hands-on immersion with farmer clusters and processing groups
• Training sessions on supply chain management, logistics, and quality standards
• Exposure to copra trading, processing, and marketing systems
• Benchmarking on the cooperative’s best practices

Active participation came from representatives of coconut cooperatives across Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Surigao del Sur, namely:
1. Jagupit Coconut Farmers Agriculture Cooperative
2. Kahugpungang Mag-uuma sa Concepcion
3. Wasian Coconut Farmers Agricultural Cooperative
4. Citywide Diversified Coconut Farmers Agriculture Cooperative
5. Bayugan City Coconut Farmers Agriculture Cooperative
6. Tagasaka Coconut Farmers Agricultural Cooperative
7. Bislig City Organic Agriculture Cooperative

This initiative highlights DTI Caraga’s steadfast commitment to empowering coconut farmers, strengthening cooperative enterprises, and advancing inclusive and sustainable growth through the RAPID Growth Project.

DTI RAPID Growth Project
RAPID Growth Project - Agusan del Sur
RAPID Growth Project - Surigao Del Sur
DTI Caraga

09/11/2025

As part of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) – Government of the Philippines (GOP) Supervision and Implementation Support Mission (SISM), the Department of Trade and Industry DTI Caraga, through the RAPID Growth Project, hosted a series of activities on November 5–7, 2025, in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur to assess project progress and strengthen collaboration in advancing agri-based enterprises.

The activity featured a Regional Stakeholders Meeting in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, which tackled project implementation updates in Caraga, attended by the IFAD-GOP Mission Team led by Ms. Lorna Grace, IFAD Project Technical Lead, Mr. Lando Arban, IFAD Project Management, M&E and Institutional Specialist, and Ms. Tendayi Makuyana, IFAD Regional Financial Management Officer; Also present is the National Project Coordination Office (NPCO) team headed by Project Director RD Flora Politud-Gabunales; DTI-Caraga Regional Coordination Unit led by Assistant Regional Director Brenda B. Corvera along with the Provincial Directors Ms. Lorijane D. Sacote, Mr. Marson Jan S. Dolendo, and Mr. Romel M. Oribe, Director Maria Asuncion Cruzada of DTI Finance Services, as well as representatives from other partner agencies, Farmer Organizations and MSMEs.

This was followed by field visits to several RAPID Growth beneficiaries of the following - Janicahh Food Products Corporation of Agusan del Sur, San Nicolas Development Cooperative of Tagbina, Surigao del Sur Amparitas Food Prodcuts Manufacturing of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, Tagasaka Coconut Farmers Cooperative, and Bislig City Organic Agricultural Cooperatoive - highlighting their growth and success stories in improving the value chains of their commodities.

These activities reaffirm DTI-Caraga’s commitment to empowering farmers and MSMEs toward sustainable and inclusive rural development.

05/11/2025

14/10/2025

Youth champions equipped on value chain development under RAPID Growth Project

BUTUAN CITY – To enhance the knowledge and skills of the RAPID Growth Project’s youth beneficiaries on agricultural value chain development, the Department of Trade and Industry conducted a Training of Trainers (TOT) on October 8–9, 2025, at Almont Inland Resort here.

Organized in partnership with the Education Development Center (EDC), the two-day training gathered 56 youth beneficiaries, known as Youth Champions, from Regions 8, 9, and Caraga.

The sessions equipped participants with skills in analyzing the value chains of cacao, coffee, coconut, banana, and calamansi.

Participants were also introduced to emerging tools and technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and geo-tagging applications, along with discussions on their ethical and responsible use in mapping and assessing activities within the value chain.

As part of the training, the Youth Champions completed performance tasks on value chain appreciation and conducted simulation exercises, where they took on the role of facilitators instead of participants.

These Youth Champions are expected to re-echo their learnings to their respective farmer organizations, enterprises, and communities to help establish value chain–based youth hubs in their regions.

The TOT forms part of a comprehensive capacity-building program for the RAPID Growth Project’s youth beneficiaries, which includes training sessions, youth-led value chain hub development, industry exposure, market simulation, and business pitching activities.

DTI - IFAD RAPID Growth Project - National Project Coordination Office

24/08/2025

𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐬
Municipal engineers and barangay functionaries from Eastern Visayas and Mindanao, supported by RAPID Growth Project, demonstrated their strong commitment to community development during the “Sustainable Roads: Strengthening Barangay Capacities in Basic Local Road Maintenance” training held on 12-15 August 2025.
In partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government – Office of Project Development Services (DILG-OPDS), the RAPID Growth Project equipped local partners with essential skills in building, operating, and maintaining farm-to-market roads. These learnings will be brought back to their respective communities, helping ensure that infrastructure remains sustainable while making the transport of goods faster, easier, and more efficient.
By empowering our local partners, we are not only paving the way for resilient and sustainable farm-to-market roads — we are also fostering long-term economic opportunities and better livelihoods for our farmers.

24/08/2025

On August 22, 2025, the RAPID Growth Project Caraga turned over the 1.335-km improved Tagasaka Farm-to-Market Road in Barangay Tagasaka, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. This farming community, known for its fertile lands, cultivates 2,016 hectares of coconut, 60 hectares of coffee, and 92 hectares of cacao.

With the upgraded road, 300 farming households will enjoy easier access to markets, lower transport costs, reduced travel time, and post-harvest losses, which will open more opportunities for local livelihoods and boost the agricultural sector.

The turnover was attended by local and project leaders, including Municipal Mayor Atty. Tito A. Cañedo, Vice Mayor Hon. Joan M. Garay, RAPID Growth Project Director RD Flora Politud-Gabunales, DTI Surigao del Sur Provincial Director Romel M. Oribe, DTI Tech DC Gemma L. Clarin, RAPID Regional Project Coordinator Roland A. Ignacio, Municipal Engineer Engr. Queruben A. Rosales, MLGOO Shara Dalogdog, DPWH representative Jaylord Hinay, Barangay Captain Emmanuel Sina, and TACOFACO Chairperson Arsolino S. Cabilin.

- IFAD RAPID Growth Project - National Project Coordination Office
Caraga