Project Activities

INCLUSIVE VALUE CHAIN PHILIPPINES CONDUCTS ITS FINAL REVIEW IN DAVAO CITY

The Inclusive Value Chain Project (ACIAR AGB 2018/196) was subjected to Final Review in Davao City, Philippines.

The project aims to aims to enhance the design, implementation and adoption of inclusive value chains in smallholder farming systems in the Philippines by exploring roles, conditions and specific value chain interventions that improve engagement and benefit the livelihoods of farmers, their communities and their chain partners, specifically in the Coffee Value Chain in the province of Sultan Kudarat and the Vegetable Value Chain in Cebu City.

A 2-day preparatory activities were held on September 15-16, 2025. It was attended by the project team from the University of the Philippines Mindanao, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Visayas State University, Foodlink Advocacy Cooperative, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, and Australian National University.

The final review on September 17-19 was a face-to-face session. There were three (3) external reviewers: Dr. Marie Lisa Dacanay (F), Dr. Ricky Lozari (M), and Dr. Normito Jr Zapanta (M). There were two observers: Ms. Maria Teresa de Guzman (F), Officer-in-charge (OIC) for Agricultural Resources Management Research Division (ARMRD) from the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), and Ms. Hazel Aniceto (F), ACIAR Philippines Country Manager.

In addition, the representatives from the partners of the Coffee Value Chain in Sultan Kudarat and Vegetable Value Chain in Cebu were invited. Ms. Idel Lloren (F) attended on behalf of the Municipal Agriculturist Office of Lebak (Sultan Kudarat). Partner farmers from Coffee Farmers Association of Hinalaan (COFAH) and Nuling Coffee Growers Association (NCGA) were represented by their respective Presidents, Mr. Wilbert Bisual (M) and Mr. Tirso Española (M). Attendees from Cebu were Mr. Mark Edcille (M), LAMAC Multi-Purpose Cooperative; Mr. Allan Bautista (M), Ms. Ruditha Villehermosa (F), and Mr. Elisio Cantano (M) from Cebu City Resource Management and Development Center (CREMDEC); Mr. Armil Largo (M) Agrownica; and Mr. Hilario Capirada (M), Mr. Casimiro Pilones (M), Technical Advisory Group members.

The final review was led by Ms. Michaela Cosijn (CSIRO) and was attended by other members from CSIRO (F:2, M:1), ANU (F:2), FAC (F:3, M:1), UPLB (F:2, M:1), UPMIN (F:3, M:2), and VSU (F:2, M:2).

Midterm Review

From June 2 to June 7, 2024, the project team met in Cebu City for the ACIAR Midterm Review. The first few days were spent on preparations while the actual face to face review happened on June 5-7, 2024.

There were 3 external reviewers: Dr Rodmyr Datoon (Male), Dr Normito Jr Zapata (M), and Dr. Ricky Lozari (M).

It was also attended by Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) personnel: Ms Maria Teresa de Guzman (Female), Mr Joel Norman Panganiban (M), and Ms Meliza Abeleda (F).

The ACIAR Philippines representative was Ms. Jaclyn Damaso-Grey (F).

From the project team, led by Ms. Michaela Cosijn (CSIRO), it was attended by other members from CSIRO (M:1 & F:2), ANU (F:2), FAC (M:1 & F: 4), UPLB (M: 1 & F: 2), UPMin (M:2 & F:2), and VSU (M:4 & F: 3).

Meetings

The project team conducts a series of internal meetings (online and offline) to get updates from the team members. These meetings also served as venue for workshops and discussions.

Stakeholder Engagements

There is continuing engagement with the public and private sectors, academic communities and farmer organizations.

Private sector/ Business

Farmer Organizations

Government Organizations

Academe

Rapid Market Appraisal

The RMA assessed the attractiveness of products, markets and channels within the target farming system, with a focus on smallholder participation and benefit sharing. The team conducted desktop reviews of consumer demand studies, walking the chain (observations and KIIs) and secondary data to identify key marketing channels for the coffee, coconut and vegetables.

Farming Systems Analysis

This project has identified the need to conduct farming system analysis (FSA) alongside community resource assessment to better understand the conditions that farmers and their communities face that influence their capacity to engage in value chains. The intent is to provide value chain stakeholders with the supporting environment that will sustain initiatives and motivation, past the project’s life.

Inclusive Value Chain Analysis (IVCA)

The IVCA will diagnose bottlenecks and barriers, and identify opportunities for enhanced participation and benefit sharing along the value chain – from input providers, farming to retail and supporting institutions.

Integrated Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (I-MEL)

I-MEL will provide IVC facilitators, researchers and value chain stakeholders a process (and analytical tools) to reflect on and evaluate the impacts of interventions in a systematic and structured manner, in order to re-design interventions as needed and to monitor progress towards outcomes.

Inclusive Engagement Framework

This is a framework developed by the project team which aims to ensure social inclusion and minimise any harm via on going interaction and communication between research institutions, private sector, farmers, and other chain actors.

Page updated

Report abuse