Bukidnon. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) recently conducted a two-day field mission to select Rural Agro-enterprise Partnerships for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project sites in Bukidnon, Northern Mindanao. The mission observed the project’s progress in fostering inclusive, market-oriented value chains and rural enterprise development.
Led by Donal Brown, Associate Vice-President, Department of Country Operations, IFAD, the delegation visited farm-to-market infrastructures, coffee farm expansion areas, and farmers’ processing centres. AVP Brown was accompanied by the IFAD Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Reehana Raza, and the Philippinescountry team, as well as IFAD country directors from elsewhere in the region. They were warmly welcomed by key officials from the project’s implementing agency, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), headed by Undersecretary Blesila Lantanoya, and by the local government units.
The visit began with a tour of the rehabilitated Kaatuan Farm-to-Market Road (FMR)–an infrastructure upgrade that has improved market access for local smallholders and agri-enterprises. The delegation engaged with leaders and representatives from smallholder farmer organizations, agri-cooperatives, Indigenous Peoples communities, micro-finance institutions, local government units, and private sector that shared how the project is boosting local coffee value chain and forge cross-sectoral partnerships.
Young farmers were also present at the two-day visit, with several of them stepping into leadership roles within their respective organizations—highlighting the project’s role in empowering the next generation of agricultural leaders.
“I can see that the early success of the RAPID Growth Project is inspiring some young people to return to agriculture, recognizing its potential for growth and sustainability,” Brown said. “I am hopeful it will attract other young farmers back into agriculture.”
Farmers also emphasized that the project has supported their transition to intercropped coffee production—an approach that not only enhances household income but also contributes to environmental conservation.
“I am also pleased to see that while farmers are focusing on expanding their production, they are also committed to protecting the environment,” Brown noted during the site tour. The visit concluded with continued commitments to scaling inclusive agri-enterprise development across the Philippines.
IFAD has worked in the Philippines since 1977, including 17 projects that have reached at least 2.1 million households or 9 million people.
Read more about our work in the Philippines here.
