RAPID Growth Project - Surigao Del Sur

07/07/2026

World Chocolate Day 2026🎉

22/06/2026

𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗶 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹

On June 11, 2026, through the initiative of the 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 – 𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐃 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 and the technological development of NEMSU-San Miguel students, San Nicolas Development Cooperative in Doña Carmen, Tagbina, Surigao del Sur, took a decisive step toward sustainable agriculture. The cooperative launched a community-based technology transfer training, focusing on a natural alternative to chemical pesticides: the production and application of white and green muscardine fungi.

The second day of the initiative drew an enthusiastic crowd, bringing local farmer-members together with agricultural students from Doña Carmen. The day was entirely dedicated to hands-on learning, centred around a live field demonstration led by Mr Marlon Garrigues, PhD, and Mr Romnick Guillermo, RAgr., an expert resource speaker from the NEMSU-San Miguel Campus. Working alongside were five dedicated student researchers, who guided the participants through the practical application process.

Out in the fields, farmers learned exactly how to deploy these green and white muscardine fungi to protect their staple crops—focusing on coffee plants—from destructive pests. The training concluded with a practical hand-on: ready-to-use muscardine solutions were distributed to all participating farmers, equipping them with the tools needed to implement these natural biocontrol methods on their own land immediately.

18/06/2026

01/06/2026

𝐃𝐓𝐈-𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐃 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐄𝐌𝐒𝐔 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫-𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢-𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲

𝐒𝐀𝐍 𝐌𝐈𝐆𝐔𝐄𝐋, 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐀𝐎 𝐃𝐄𝐋 𝐒𝐔𝐑 — In a major push toward sustainable agriculture and organic pest management, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Rural Agro-enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project, in collaboration with the North Eastern Mindanao State University (NEMSU) San Miguel Campus, successfully conducted a Training of Trainers on the Production and Application of White and Green Muscardine on May 26-27,2026 at Barangay Carromata, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.

The Training of Trainers on the Production and Application of White and Green Muscardines successfully enhanced the technical and facilitation capacities of selected farmer-leaders from various farmer organizations. The activity promoted sustainable agriculture by introducing practical and low-cost biological control technologies that can help reduce chemical pesticide dependence among coffee, cacao, and coconut farmers.

Through the collaboration of DTI RAPID Growth Project and NEMSU San Miguel Campus, the trained farmer-leaders are now better equipped to serve as local trainers and advocates of environmentally sound pest management practices within their respective communities.

18/01/2026

𝑩𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒚 𝑻𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒔𝒂𝒌𝒂 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒔 𝑽𝒆𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒍 𝒕𝒐 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝑰𝒏𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆

Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur — On January 16, 2025, the Barangay Local Government Unit of Tagasaka carried out a vegetation control activity at Tagasaka Farm-to-Market Road sub-project of RAPID Growth Project and Local Government Unit of Hinatuan as part of its ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and accessibility of this community infrastructure.

This serves as a response to the monthly monitoring activity conducted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government – Caraga, in coordination with PCU Surigao del Sur and the LGU of Hinatuan.

Barangay officials, together with local residents, cleared overgrown grasses and shrubs along roadsides and public facilities to prevent obstruction, improve visibility, and reduce potential hazards. The initiative also aimed to protect farm-to-market roads and other vital structures from damage caused by uncontrolled vegetation growth.

Barangay Tagasaka emphasized that regular maintenance activities are essential in preserving government investments and ensuring the welfare of the community. The local government expressed its appreciation to volunteers who actively participated in the activity, reflecting the strong spirit of bayanihan among residents.