DTI, Ifad launch P4.7-B Program to help farmers

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) launched last week a P4.7-billion program that will link farmers to food manufacturers.

Called the Rural Agro-Industrial Partnership for Inclusive Development (RAPID Growth) program, it aims to upgrade agri-based micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to create a sustainable market demand for the output of specific agricultural farmers.
DTI said it would implement the program, while IFAD would fund it, marking the latter’s largest investment in the Philippines. IFAD is an international financial institution and specialized United Nations agency.

“The RAPID Growth program is close to my heart because it empowers and enables those at the bottom of the pyramid. Increasing rural income and decreasing poverty is one of the main goals of the Duterte administration,” said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

DTI said around 1,050 MSMEs and 78,000 farmers of coffee, cocoa, coconut, selected fruits and nuts will receive training, supplies, and financial assistance from the program, among others.

The program will pilot in four areas and focus on four agricultural products: coco coir in Leyte, coffee in Bukidnon, cacao in Davao del Norte, and calamansi in Agusan del Sur.

The areas were chosen based on the number of MSMEs, production area, and poverty incidence, DTI said.

The program will then be implemented in 16 provinces in six regions, including Eastern Visayas and the whole of Mindanao.

IFAD country director for the Philippines Alessandro Marini said the poverty incidence among farmers was 34 percent and to truly eradicate poverty, there should be sustained and inclusive agriculture growth.

Projects under the RAPID Growth program will establish value chain-based development, increase production capacities of farmers, ensure innovative agri-financing, strengthen market linkages, create jobs and employment opportunities, and upgrade and modernize MSMEs.