IFAD Associate Vice President Donal Brown and DTI officials visit coffee farming communities in Bukidnon, Philippines, highlighting the impact of the RAPID Growth Project’s infrastructure and agro-enterprise support on local farmers and youth engagement.
A group photo of the entire delegation, comprising IFAD, DTI, RAPID Growth Project staff, and farmers at one of the expanded farms supported by the project.

Bukidnon, Philippines – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its Rural Agro-enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project, welcomed Associate Vice President Donal Brown of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) during his official visit to the Province of Bukidnon on June 21-22, 2025.

IFAD Associate Vice President Donal Brown and DTI officials engage with coffee farmers and community members in Bukidnon during a site visit under the RAPID Growth Project, highlighting inclusive agro-enterprise development and rural infrastructure improvements.
IFAD AVP Donal Brown leads the discussion with the farmers of Paglambu LandCare Kaatuan Cluster in one of the expanded farm areas under the RAPID Growth Project

During his visit, DTI showcased the outcomes of the RAPID Growth Project and how it positively impacted the livelihoods of the farmers in Bukidnon – a vital agricultural hub in the northern region of Mindanao that is positioning itself to be a major player in the coffee farming industry.

The visit was made more meaningful and holistic with the presence of IFAD Country Director to the Philippines Umit Mansiz, DTI Undersecretary for Regional Operations Group and Supervising Undersecretary of RAPID Growth Project Blesila A. Lantayona, along with key officials from both IFAD and DTI.

DTI and IFAD representatives observe coffee farming tools and equipment provided through the RAPID Growth Project during a site visit in Bukidnon, highlighting support for rural agro-enterprise development and productivity enhancement.
Rosalie Burbano, a farmer member of PLKC, gives AVP Brown a jar of powdered coffee made from their own products.

During his visit to the Barangay Kaatuan in the Municipality of Lantapan, AVP Brown witnessed the transformative impact of the 3.4-kilometer Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) constructed through the project. The road now provides vital access to 179 hectares of coffee farms and 1,622 hectares of diversified agricultural land, benefiting both farmers and buyers alike and an estimated 12,000 individuals residing in the area.

A coffee farmer from the Paglambu LandCare Kaatuan Cluster, a farmer organization supported by the project, recalled that before the road was constructed, they had to load their produce onto horses to deliver and sell it to the market. Now, with the road in place, farmers find it easier and faster to transport goods from the farm to the market, and buyers come directly to their community to source coffee beans and other agricultural products. The farmers stated that the FMR has significantly lowered their transportation costs and time, and reduced the damage to their goods during transit, leading to higher productivity and an increase in income.

Through this improved infrastructure, the capacity-building trainings, and farm inputs provided by the project, the organization continues to strengthen its commercial partnership with Linear Coffee Roasters.

DTI and IFAD officials observe coffee beans being dried at a project-supported facility in Bukidnon, showcasing the RAPID Growth Project’s support for post-harvest processing and agro-enterprise development in rural communities.
AVP Brown visits BMMPC’s all-weather dryers from the RAPID Growth Project.

Similarly, farmers from the Bayanihan Millenium Multi-Purpose Cooperative in the Municipality of Pangantucan – also a project-supported organization – have experienced significant gains. They received multiple productive investments, including all-weather dryers, depulpers, portable moisture testers, a weighing scale, a dehuller, chainsaws, and a hole digger for planting. With enhanced farm productivity, their organization strives to be a reliable supplier of coffee and continues to enjoy a strong commercial partnership with Nestle Philippines, Inc.

In both farm communities, AVP Brown expressed admiration for the active participation of farmer members. What stood out to him the most, however, was the strong involvement of the youth.

“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, and I am hopeful it will attract other young farmers back into agriculture,” AVP Brown said in a statement.

The RAPID Growth Project aims to increase income among smallholder farmers and MSMEs through the promotion of inclusive agro-enterprise development in Mindanao and Eastern Visayas, and provide sustainable livelihood for people in rural areas – especially women, youth, and indigenous peoples.

With IFAD’s approval to extend the project until 2027, DTI aims to further strengthen its implementation to create a deeper, sustainable impact and help rural enterprises become more competitive, resilient, and market-ready. ♦

Date of Release: 24 June 2025