KIDAPAWAN CITY, Cotabato Province (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Cotabato Province has intensified efforts to help smallholder farmers make the most of the assistance offered by the Rural Agro-Industrial Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth, or RAPID Growth project.

The DTI-implemented project aims to increase income and foster agro-enterprise by helping smallholder farmers generate or build strong linkages to expand their market.

Ferdinand Cabiles, DTI's provincial director in Cotabato Province, underlined the agency's commitment to ensuring the project's impact on beneficiaries' incomes.

He said that this year, the provincial office aims to help more smallholder farmers involved in the production of cacao, coffee, cardava, and coconut before the RAPID Growth project ends in 2027.

“We [usually] link them to different markets to get a better price for their produce. Also, we conduct training and provide farm tools and planting materials or agricultural inputs to improve farmers' production,” Cabiles said.

Currently, the project initiative is focusing on expansion, giving seedlings to beneficiaries, rehabilitating farms with tools, and ensuring effective investment by promoting product processing through the establishment of warehouses and plants.

In Cotabato Province, 55 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) now benefit from the said project. Most of the beneficiaries are farmer organizations and cooperatives.

One of the beneficiaries of the RAPID Growth project is the Pangao-an Homeowners Multipurpose Cooperative, based in the municipality of Magpet.

Edwin Galaroza, chairman of the cooperative, said their partnership with DTI started in 2020.

He credited the DTI for the knowledge and skills of their cooperative members, who were trained in good agricultural practices, productivity, and product quality at the farm level.

“Kung magrely tayo sa pinansyal na support sa mga miyembro, talagang mahirap makausad ang koopreatiba pero sa tulong at sa program ng gobyerno through DTI, malaki ang augmentation sa aming coop,” said Galaroza.

[If we rely just on member financial support, the cooperative will struggle to develop; however, with the assistance of government initiatives like DTI, our coop will get a significant boost.]

The DTI, through the RAPID Growth project, provided the cooperative with farm inputs, particularly cacao seedlings. 

Galaroza said their cooperative sells fermented and non-fermented cacao seeds, as well as tablea.

With the assistance of the DTI, the cooperative earns an estimated income of P15,000 monthly, augmenting the income of the 100 farmer members.

DTI efforts also allowed the cooperative to promote its products in many parts of the country, as well as in some Asian countries.

“Malaking bagay talaga ang naitulong ng DTI lalo na ang program sa Rapid dahil sa ngayon, maliban doon sa mga miyembro namin, ang mga tao sa community ay nabibigyan din ng kaalaman pagdating sa technology transfer at marketing,” Galaroza emphasized.

[The DTI has been quite helpful, particularly with the Rapid project, because individuals in the community, in addition to our members, are now aware of technology transfer and marketing.]

Galaroza also shared the cooperative's plans to expand its operations and produce chocolates.

Aside from smallholder farmers, DTI also hopes to assist SMEs that support small farmers. (SJDM - PIA Cotabato Province)