TACURONG CITY, Sultan Kudarat (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its provincial office, has provided free farm tools to over 1,000 small-scale coffee farmers in the three towns of this province as part of the RAPID Growth Project.
The farmers from the towns of Lebak, Kalamansig, and Senator Ninoy Aquino that have completed the coffee capability training received pruning shears, pruning saws, grafting knives, knapsack sprayers, and mini chainsaws to help them rehabilitate aging coffee trees and boost their harvests.
DTI Sultan Kudarat Provincial Director Mary Ann Morales said these tools will help farmers improve productivity and secure the long-term sustainability of coffee farming in the province.
She pointed out that by “equipping coffee farmers with the knowledge and resources to revitalize and rehabilitate their farms [and] apply good agricultural practices (GAP) techniques, farmers can improve productivity, enhance bean quality, and ensure the long-term sustainability of their coffee plantations.”
The RAPID Growth Project is a six-year initiative funded by the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development in partnership with DTI.
The project supports small farmers and agricultural enterprises by providing training, tools, and resources to help them compete in the global market.
In Kalamansig, 268 farmers from the Datu Wasay 4Ps SLP Association Cluster and Limulan Sustainable Livelihood Association Cluster received their tools on February 12.
Meanwhile, in Lebak, 686 farmers from the Salangsang Coffee Growers Marketing Cooperative Cluster, Basak Integrated Farmers Association Cluster, and Agsam Farmers Association Cluster also benefited from the distribution.
A total of 193 coffee farmers from Senator Ninoy Aquino under the Masaganang Samahang Nayon ng Kuden (MASANAK) Cluster also received their farm tools in a separate distribution, in the third batch of the program’s rollout.
Lebak, Kalamansig, and Senator Ninoy Aquino are known for their thriving coffee farms, which play a key role in the local economy.
The RAPID Growth Project also aims to uplift rural communities by increasing farmers’ income and providing more livelihood opportunities.
Aside from coffee, the project also assists farmers growing cacao, coconut, fruits, and nuts to improve their livelihoods and boost the province’s agricultural sector. (ORVR – PIA Region 12)
