DTI RAPID Growth Project

𝐃𝐎𝐅, 𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐃𝐞𝐯 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐃 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐒𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐨𝐧

Following the RAPID Growth Project's progress in improving beneficiaries' livelihoods, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) organized a Project Demonstration Visit that showcased tangible progress in Bukidnon's mountain-foot municipalities, demonstrating the project's positive impact.

The visit brought Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Undersecretary Joseph Capuno, Department of Finance (DOF) Undersecretary Joven Balbosa, and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Kristian Ablan to the foothill municipalities of Lantapan and Pangantucan in Bukidnon Province.

Led by IFAD Country Director Umit Mansiz, the delegation visited the farm sites and facilities of Paglambu LandCare Kaatuan Cluster (PLKC) in Lantapan and Bayanihan Millennium Multipurpose Cooperative (BMMPC) in Pangantucan, and witnessed firsthand how the project’s Public-Private-Producer Partnership through its Hub-and-Spoke working models were implemented in the field.

By adopting RAPID Growth Project interventions and forging partnerships with Linear Coffee and Nestlé Philippines, both cooperatives achieved higher production and increased incomes, highlighting the project's tangible contributions to inclusive rural development.

During the visit, the delegation also inspected newly rehabilitated farm-to-market infrastructure developed through the partnership between the DTI RAPID Growth Project and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in the municipalities of Lantapan and Pangantucan. The improved infrastructure has significantly reduced farmers' travel time and transportation effort in bringing their produce to market, resulting in better market access and increased economic opportunities.

With the successful visit, the RAPID Growth Project hopes that the lessons and best practices gained from its implementation will inform future development initiatives and contribute to sustainable rural development—not only in Mindanao but across the Philippines.

𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐃 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐓𝐨 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬

On 13 July 2026, the RAPID Growth Project convened its top management and key stakeholders for the 12th Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting with a specific goal: to ensure maximum impact and lay the groundwork for sustained results after implementation concludes.

Presided over by DTI Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona, the meeting convened officials from the DTI, implementing partners, agricultural and oversight agencies, financial institutions, and agricultural council representatives of the project's priority commodities.

The meeting addressed essential priorities, such as reviewing project progress to date, assessing its financial performance, recalibrating its plan and budget, and advancing the Exit Strategy and Sustainability Plan—the roadmap for ensuring that gains secured in rural communities endure beyond the project's completion.

Through the project’s continued partnership with its stakeholders, its progress and gains can be made sustainable, ensuring that the rural communities we have reached will continue to thrive long after the project concludes.

𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜-𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤: 𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐃 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐌𝐎𝐀 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝟖,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬

The RAPID Growth Project and Nestlé Philippines, Inc. have renewed their partnership to strengthen Philippine coffee farming through a Ceremonial Signing of a Memorandum of Agreement last 7 July 2026 in the latter’s Cagayan de Oro City Factory.

The collaboration aims to provide technical expertise, capacity building initiatives, and further support 8,000 coffee farmers in Regions 10, 11, 12, and Caraga through the conduct of Farmer Business School and Regenerative Agriculture training programs until June 2027.

This is development work at its most essential: government, enterprises, and farmers working together to build sustainable livelihoods and secure supply chains that benefit everyone.

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠: 𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐃 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

The spirit of collaboration and teamwork filled the halls of The Farm @ Carpenter Hill in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, as the RAPID Growth Project convened for its 2026 Midyear Assessment and Planning last 22-24 June 2026.

The three-day coordination meeting brought together officials from the DTI Head Office, DTI Regional Directors and Assistant Directors, and the National Project Coordination Office alongside all Regional and Provincial Coordination Units. This full convening worked to take stock of where the project stands, sharpen its implementation, celebrate what has been accomplished, and chart the path toward sustainability beyond the project's completion.

The stories told during the meeting spoke louder than any report. Implementing units from across the project areas shared concrete updates on their progress, complemented by success stories of farmers/organizations, MSMEs, and firms that have emerged stronger through project support.

The discussions covered every angle—from value chain development and rural finance to project management, monitoring and evaluation, and targeting strategy—and teams working on the different components of the project emerged with actionable agreements geared towards improving project implementation.

DTI Financial Service Director Maria Asuncion Cruzada held one-on-one sessions with each Regional Coordination Unit and their respective provincial units to assess fiscal capacity and ensure the project stays financially stable through to its 2027 completion.

The final day carried perhaps the most forward-looking work of all. A series of intensive workshops brought together project implementers from all seven regions and 21 provinces to refine the framework of Exit Strategy and Sustainability Plan—a shared commitment to sustaining gains, deepening beneficiary ownership, and securing a future for the communities the project serves long after implementation ends.

With one year of implementation remaining, the RAPID Growth Project is doubling down on its commitment: to ensure our rural communities emerge stronger, more connected, and better positioned for sustainable growth beyond the project.

Jyriel Jian Ambay, a 17 year old from the Municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat, has already shown a deep passion for coffee farming and a strong determination to achieve his dreams since he was young. Growing up in a farming family, Jian was introduced to coffee production early in life and has been actively involved in the family's coffee farm since childhood.

"Ever since I was young, coffee farming has been part of my daily life. During school breaks, I helped my father and mother in the coffee farm. Through this experience, I learned the value of hard work and became eager to learn more about coffee production," Jian shared.

His father played a significant role in shaping his journey in the coffee industry. From maintaining coffee farms to performing various farm activities, Jian learned firsthand the processes involved in producing quality coffee.

Through the RAPID Growth Project, Jian was able to participate in several capacity-building activities, including Barista 101 Training and Coffee Roasting Training, where he learned industry standards, protocols, and procedures. These trainings expanded his knowledge and gave him a better understanding of coffee quality and value addition.

"The trainings provided by RAPID gave me many new ideas and helped me understand the importance of quality coffee production. It was a big help for coffee farmers like us who process quality coffee beans because it improves both the quality and market value of our coffee," he said.

Jian's interest in joining the Philippine Coffee Quality Competition (PCQC) was inspired by the achievements of coffee professionals such as Reyjhon Basco. Seeing others excel in the industry motivated him to dream bigger and strive for excellence.

"I told myself that someday I would also experience joining a competition like PCQC," he recalled.

More importantly, Jian saw the competition as an opportunity to showcase the quality coffee produced in Sultan Kudarat.

"I want people across the Philippines to know that Sultan Kudarat produces delicious and high-quality coffee."

Preparing for the competition was not easy. One of the biggest challenges he encountered was the labor-intensive manual sorting of more than 200 kilograms of green coffee beans. Despite the difficulty, he remained focused and motivated.

"My preparation was built on trust in God, strong prayers, and hard work," he shared.

Through his participation in PCQC, Jian gained valuable insights about coffee quality and market opportunities. He learned that producing specialty-grade coffee not only improves quality but also significantly increases its selling price and profitability.

"The competition taught me that quality coffee commands a higher price. When coffee quality improves, farmers can earn more and create better opportunities for their families."

Those words were soon backed by results. Jian finished 2nd in the Experimental Robusta Category at this year's Philippine Coffee Quality Competition, where he was also cited as the event's Youngest Farmer Participant.

Today, he continues to pursue his passion for coffee while inspiring other young people to take part in the industry. His journey demonstrates how dedication, family support, and opportunities provided through the RAPID Growth Project can empower the next generation of coffee champions.

As he continues to learn and grow, Jian remains committed to promoting the coffee of Sultan Kudarat, proving that young coffee farmers can make a meaningful impact on the Philippine coffee industry.

𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐃 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐂𝐐𝐂

Robusta coffee farmers under the RAPID Growth Project from the province of Sultan Kudarat did not shy away from showcasing the top-tier quality of their coffee in the Philippine Coffee Quality Competition during the Philippine Coffee Expo 2026, earning them Ranks 1 through 9 for the Experimental Robusta Category!

🥇 Rank 1 - Ruel Acutan from Lebak, Sultan Kudarat
🥈 Rank 2 - Jyriel Jiam Ambay from SNA, Sultan Kudarat
🥉 Rank 3 - Freddie Santiago Sr. from SNA, Sultan Kudarat
🏅 Rank 4 - Roberto Gamboa from SNA, Sultan Kudarat
🏅 Rank 5 - Arnel Baguio from Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat
🏅 Rank 6 - Rian Vonn Basco from SNA, Sultan Kudarat
🏅 Rank 7 - Roan Basco from SNA, Sultan Kudarat
🏅 Rank 8 - Ma. Mila Calunsag from Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat
🏅 Rank 9 - Rey Christoper Alcayde from Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat

This is one of the gains when farmers are equipped, connected, and given the opportunity to bring their best to the market.

Congratulations to all our robusta farmer winners! The Philippines is watching, and so is the world. ☕

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝟏𝟐𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲! 🇵🇭

From all of us at the DTI RAPID Growth Project, we join every Filipino in marking this historic milestone—celebrating the freedom, resilience, and enduring spirit of a nation and its people.

𝑀𝑎𝑏𝑢ℎ𝑎𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑔 𝑃𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑠!

𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐃 𝐜𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐂𝐐𝐂 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐜𝐚

During the recently concluded Philippine Coffee Expo 2026 in Makati City, farmers under the RAPID Growth Project claimed Ranks 1, 5, 10, and 11 in the Arabica Category of the Philippine Coffee Quality Competition (PCQC)!

🥇 Rank 1 - Gloria Lagawan from Malaybalay City, Bukidnon
🏅 Rank 5 - Ylaine Joyce Giangan from Makilala, North Cotabato
🏅 Rank 10 - Hermalyn Salido from Pangantucan, Bukidnon
🏅 Rank 11 - Geralyn Duyongan from Impasugong, Bukidnon

To every farmer and enterprise who competed: this achievement is a testament to what becomes possible when communities are supported, connected, and given the opportunity to grow.

Congratulations! 🏆