Supporting Cocoa, Coconut, and Coffee Farmers in Mindanao
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Summary
ACDI/VOCA implemented the USDA Food for Progress Mindanao Productivity for Agricultural Commerce and Trade (MinPACT) project. MinPACT increased the incomes of smallholder cocoa, coconut, and coffee farming families in Southern and Western Mindanao. ACDI/VOCA and its partners did this by strengthening farmers’ capacity and that of other value chain actors for improved farm management, increased productivity, product quality, available services, and access to markets.
The Philippines has made progress in reducing extreme poverty for many of its citizens; however, in Mindanao, poverty rates remain high, ranging from 25 to 36 percent. Despite Mindanao’s fertile land and rich natural resources, food insecurity is estimated to be over 30 percent—the highest in the country. Increasing farmers’ incomes is an important step toward reducing food insecurity and poverty and sustaining peace in Mindanao.
Objectives
- Improved the competitiveness of coffee, cocoa, and coconut value chains
- Strengthened local capacity and services for improved post-harvest systems and handling practices
- Facilitated enhanced financial services, including insurance and credit availability for farmers and agribusiness service providers
- Increased market access, opportunities, and efficiency of agricultural products and services
Activities and Approaches
- Increased the production and improved the productivity of farmers who grow cocoa, coconut, and coffee through proven, participatory training methodologies, including Training of Trainers.
- Supported the expanded use of improved agricultural inputs by providing capacity building and grants to improve or establish nurseries and seed production facilities
- Provided training on quality assessment and control and new and/or improved processing equipment or systems to reduce post-harvest losses and improve quality
- Promoted market-led development and market segmentation based on product quality and volume and built marketing skills and contract farming
- Provided grants to producer organizations and other value chain processing facilities to establish, improve, or expand post-harvest handling systems and equipment
- Built processor capacity in business and operational practices
- Trained farmers, producer organizations, and agribusinesses on various financial products and credit management and provided technical assistance to help them complete applications for credit and insurance and maintain strong credit management practices
- Built capacity in the use of information and multimedia communications to support and increase training adoption levels and behavior change, including the use of audience-specific print materials, videos, and mobile technology
- Supported the strengthening and development of industry advocacy and trade organizations to promote sustainable production and farmer interests, linking stakeholders to regional and international markets and ensuring communication on end-market quality specifications and certification requirement
Results
- Trained smallholder coffee, cacao, and coconut farmers in improved production and resource management technologies, with 8,480 adopting improved technologies over the life of project; assisted 6,360 farmers to create and implement farm plans
- Facilitated improved organizational capacity, management practices, and access to markets for 24 producer organizations, including cooperatives and associations, representing 10,600 farmers
- Supported private enterprises in providing improved services, including at least 72 enterprises selling improved inputs and other services, like technical assistance and training, 26 enterprises improving infrastructure for production, and 18 enterprises providing financial services
- Facilitated the development of market information sources and systems and supported 8,480 producers to have ready and frequent access to current agricultural market information
- Supported 1,248 coffee, cacao, and coconut farmers, producers, and enterprises to access formal cash loans to finance production and processing, with a total value of $1,134,545
Funder: USDA, Food for Progress
Contact: Jason Hillis, JHillis@acdivoca.org
