04/12/2025
THE FINAL CHAPTER: CELEBRATING OUR ACHIEVEMENTS TOGETHER
The Inclusive Value Chain Project (ACIAR AGB 2018/196) is an Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)-funded project which was implemented from August 2021 to October 2025. This project enhanced the design, implementation and adoption of inclusive value chains in smallholder farming systems in the Philippines. The University of the Philippines Mindanao, under the School of Management, explored roles, conditions and specific interventions that improved participation and engagement, which benefited the livelihoods of selected Sultan Kudarat coffee farmers, their communities, and their chain partners. One of its final activities is the closing program.
A project closing signals the formal completion of all deliverables and provides an opportunity to officially turn over project resources, including interventions, equipment, and materials. Holding a closing program also ensures that stakeholders are fully informed about the end of the project, so they are not left hanging once the implementation period is over. UPMin and its project partners had been engaging with the Coffee Farmers Association of Hinalaan (COFAH) and Nuling Coffee Growers Association (NCGA) since 2022. Some of its officers had the chance to visit the UPMin campus in Davao during their exposure trip in culmination of their Organizational Strengthening training in March 2025.
As a formal project conclusion, the UPMin Coffee Case Study Team conducted two separate programs with the COFAH and with the NCGA on November 12, 2025 in Kalamansig and Lebak, respectively.
The COFAH event was attended by the officers, committees, and members in their newly constructed building. This building will eventually house the associationโs office and the equipment given to them by a prospective institutional buyer. It was within the compound where the five IVC Philippines project-assisted elevated solar dryers were stationed. On the other hand, NCGAโs program was held at the multipurpose shed (locally named as training center) beside the ACIAR project assisted coffee nursery. It was participated by the officers, board of directors, members, Barangay Captain Marvin Barabag and Municipal Agriculturist Office of Lebak Representatives Ms. Idel Lloren (F) and Mr. Dale Managad. Both COFAH and NCGAโs buildings were constructed from the associationsโ funds and members' cooperation.
On both programs, the IVC Philippines presented several videos that can be accessed through their YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/. In addition, the team also turned over some supplies and materials to COFAH and NCGA that they can use for future organizational activities. Moreover, as a commitment of the project to sustainability, the associations and its community were introduced to UPMinโs Gender and Development (GAD) Laboratory in Agri-Aqua and Natural Resources (AANR) https://www.facebook.com/gadlabinaanr.
The Project Closing Activity was co-organized by University of the Philippines Mindanao IVC Philippines Project Team members Marilou Montiflor (F), Roxanne Aguinaldo (F), and Dave Laurence Dela Cruz (M). Meanwhile, the GAD Lab Team members were Lady Lard Janica Aban (F), Gerlie M. Fuentes (F), and Rodrigo Lanaban, Jr. (M). For more information about the IVC Phils project, visit their website: https://upmin-ivcphil.up.edu.ph/.
