The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has turned over a PHP30-million farm-to-market road improvement project on February 12. Located in La Libertad, Pulang Yuta, Calube, Tipolo in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, the project aims to boost local farmers’ incomes by improving access to markets.
The farm-to-market infrastructure (FMI) was jointly funded under DTI Region 10’s Rural Agro-enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development (RAPID) Growth Project and the Kapatagan local government unit (LGU).
Funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the RAPID Growth Project supports key agricultural sectors by fostering strategic partnership among value chain stakeholders. Its goal is to increase the incomes of smallholder farmers and rural residents by supporting farmers in key agricultural sectors.
The project’s FMI, led by the Department of Interior and Local Government, improves market access for farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises by rehabilitating farm-to-market access roads.
The 1.8-kilometer road project will benefit at least 2,637 individuals from the five barangays within the road influence area: La Libertad, Pulang Yuta, Calube, Tipolo, and Capucao.
In her message, DTI RAPID Project Director and DTI Region 12 Director Flora Gabunales underscored that the project’s key metric is the improvement of livelihood in the rural areas.
“The RAPID Growth Project team is here because we want to contribute to the development of our community. We are happy to see that our project will bring joy by improving our rural areas” Director Gabunales said.
DTI Region 10 Director Ruel Paclipan highlighted the project’s two key benefits: a reduction in travel time from two hours to 45 minutes and easier transportation for farmers, especially during rainy seasons.
The turnover ceremony was attended by representatives from Kapatagan LGU, DILG-10, DILG Lanao del Norte, DTI RAPID Growth Project, DTI-10, DTI Lanao del Norte, and beneficiaries of the project.
