DAVAO CITY – At least three cooperatives and hundreds of farmers in the Davao region will benefit from the signing of the Matching Grant Agreement (MGA) under the Rural Agro-Industrial Partnership for Development and Growth Project (RAPID Growth) of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (DTI) 11.

The MGA, which was signed on May 31, details the productive investment (construction of a mechanical dryer) and various support for the commercial development of the Biao Agrarian Beneficiaries Cooperative (BARBCO) of Purok Manga, Barangay Talandang, Davao City. This is equivalent to Php 1,594,736.

The interventions are designed to improve the efficiency and capacity of the association in the trade of dried fermented cocoa beans (DFCB), as well as in the production of cocoa products. These should improve the profitability and sustainability of his business.

Meanwhile, a total of 262 smallholder cocoa farmers belonging to Southern Davao Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SDMC) and UNICARBAI Multi-Purpose Cooperative (UMPC) in Brgy. Basiawan, Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental will also indirectly benefit from these interventions. They could increase BARBCO’s overall profitability as a major buyer. As such, this could result in better purchase prices from DCCB as it ramps up its business operations.

The Regional Director of DTI 11, Maria Belenda Q. Ambi, explained that the project will provide interventions to these associations, including seedlings for the expansion of cocoa plantations, agricultural tools for rehabilitation areas and various reinforcement interventions. capacities.

Ambi, who also sits as the National Director of the RAPID Growth Project, added that the total project intervention cost for UMPC and SMDC is set at Php 3,832,200. The amount is allocated specifically to small cocoa farmers, who are members of said groups. UMDC is expected to receive Php1,950,000 while SMDC will receive Php1,882,200 as project support.

“Given the market potential indicated in the business plans, notably in the business partnership agreement with BARBCO, these investments and interventions were deemed feasible and viable,” the local trade chief said.

Ambi further noted that BARBCO will also support these associations through training interventions, including the production of high quality cocoa beans to meet standards. This should increase the household income of cocoa-growing members.

In addition to the beneficiary farmers in Davao Occidental, the DIP will also provide opportunities for the 445 smallholder farmers in Davao City. Specifically, these are the 247 farmer members of the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) clusters and the 198 smallholder farmers affiliated with BARBCO in the city’s Third District. BARBCO operates as a consolidator and processor of wet beans in the region.

“The interventions and investments identified by the RAPID Growth Project in the Detailed Investment Plans or DIPs aim to fill supply gaps by providing investments, matching grants and several business development grants to BARBCO and its farmer associations and other key players in the supply chain,” Ambi explained, adding that to further strengthen the supply chain, the project is also collaborating with the various cocoa industry facilitators.

The BARBCO supply chain is the first-ever DIP that the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Official Development Assistance (ODA) RAPID Growth Project has approved in the Davao region.

The MGA signing ceremony was attended by Rapid Growth Project Manager Mae Ester Guiamadel, DTI-Davao City Director Rachel S. Remitio, DTI 11 Chief for Management Support Services Marilou D. Laguting and BARBCO President Godofredo C. Rangas and Manager Guadalupe C .Ocial. PR