PROJECT TERMINAL REPORT

Project Title: Talaandig Community Enterprise through Enhance Taro Production and Processing

Country Location: Philippines

Period Covered: 1 September 2018 to 31 August 2019

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Global hunger and poverty, environmental degradation, war, gender inequality, malnutrition and violations of human dignity continued to exist despite decades of discourses on agricultural reforms, environmental protection, health, global justice and peace. Life in the planet is becoming more complicated and difficult among the grassroots, including the indigenous peoples who are directly attached to the land. Nowadays, what we need is a simple, practical, affordable and instant solutions that will address the pressing needs of the most deprived and abandoned segment of our society such as the indigenous and local communities. We particularly need to develop solution that is holistic, inclusive, truly empowering, free and independent from bureaucratic prescriptions of self-centered leadership that controls the world.

In the Philippines, the Talaandig tribal community is taking its action. With the support from the NWN, the commonly ignored crop, less cultivated in most farms an even destroyed by some “capitalistic” farmers, is now being developed not only in promoting food security program, but as a community enterprise. Taro is known to the Talaandig tribal community as “Lutya” (Colocasia esculenta (L.) schott). In other parts of Asia, it is called “yautia” while in some parts of the Americas, it is traditionally called “malanga”. To the indigenous peoples in Bukidnon, Philippines, Taro or Lutya is a cultural crop and has sustained historically the economic survival of many indigenous peoples in the island of Mindanao. Potentially, it offers a cultural solution to the theoretical and academic discourses on food security and environmental sustainability.  The cultivation of “Lutya” has direct impact on the issue of hunger and poverty as proven with our one year initial experience on its production and processing.

In our experience, we noted that Taro farming and processing has initially stimulated participation and collaboration among farmers, consumers, producers, researchers, indigenous communities, entrepreneurs, local government units, health organizations, academes and educators because of its positive impacts on the socio-cultural, economic, political and ecological well-being. At the community level, the project has helped to augment the family incomes of the beneficiaries. Hopefully, with the future supports of the government agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology and Department of Agriculture among others, we look to further improve and develop this initiative in order to slowly expand the program in the next coming years.

Finally, Taro production has not only supplemented the food needs of the community members considering its naturally being an edible traditional plant to the tribe, but also in promoting its value added products particularly the recently branded “Mr. Lut-ya” Taro crackers that is starting to grow as a community enterprise of the Talaandig indigenous peoples in the Municipality of Manolo Fortich, Province of Bukidnon.

This terminal report covering the period from September 1, 2018 to August 31, 2019 discloses the MPUMATRIC’s experience in implementing the Talaandig Community Enterprise through Enhance Taro Production and Processing with the funding support of the NextWorldNow (NWN). We may not have satisfactorily accomplished the entire target outcomes, particularly the aspect of marketing due to some inevitable factors but we optimistically believed we can do some improvements in the near future.    

Accomplishment as targeted:

Item/ activity

Remarks

1.       Provision of Staff honorariums

Two Project Staffs, particularly the 1 Community Development Facilitator and 1 Crackers Production-Processing Staff were fully compensated covering the months from September 1, 2019 to August 2019.

2.       Support for the expansion of Taro Plantations 

Per area validation, the targeted 100,000 hills was fully accomplished with 112 farmer beneficiaries. This is composed of 76 males and 36 females. All were compensated or given with incentives at PhP1.50 per hill. The beneficiaries were selected based on their family’s economic status, thus they all belonged to the indigent or low-income families. These beneficiaries are dispersed in the five Barangays (villages) of the Municipalities of Manolo Fortich and Sumilao, Bukidnon, all formed part to the ancestral domain area of the indigenous Talaandig and Higaonon peoples. Please see Table 2 below.

3.       Farm monitoring and validation works

Farm monitoring and validation works were performed by the assigned project staffs. Considering that it takes some hours and days to travel and cross over the five adjacent communities, the PhP0.50 per hill allocation was perfectly helpful for transportation and travel expenses of the staffs.

4.       Procurement of Taro Chips Slicer

The 1 unit of Taro Chips slicer/cutter procured and in placed. The unit is really helpful in terms of quality and time efficiency. Basically, it is a vegetable cutter that can be used not only for Taro but using its 4-blade types, it can be used also in cutting and shredding other vegetables like carrots, cabbage, cucumber and the like.      

5.       Procurement of Taro Deep Fryers

1 unit LPG operated deep fryer and another 2 units Charcoal operated stoves were in place. These has been added to the old and existing electric-operated one. However, the advantage of these units are that it consume less power (electric) and cooking operations during brownouts (power interruptions times) are not hampered. 

6.       Procurement of Product sealers

Three units quality product sealers are procured and already in placed adding quality and efficiency of operations.

7.   Procurement of Weighing Scales 3 units weighing scales for repacked goods (cooked and flavored crackers) are procured and already in place.  

8.   Establishment/construction of  new production area

The Taro crackers processing area/building is functional already as to its main purpose. The total costs invested for the project has amounted to US$2,125.08 or equivalent to PhP111,014.31 in local currency against the original allocation of US$1,918.28 or PhP100,210.94. As already reported, these were taken from the excess amounts saved in the other items under the project. Please see Table 3 below.  Though the structure still needs some furnishing/ finishing works inside and out, nonetheless, it is a safe place enough for the materials/ equipment of the organization as well as for sanitation purposes considering that the product being produced is classified as “food product”.  

9.   Conduct of a Combined Product Development &  Packaging Trainings

With the expertise of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the training on Taro crackers Product Development, packaging, branding, labeling, costing and marketing was finally conducted last July 3-4, 2019 at the Tribal Hall, Ticala, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. It was participated by 18 community members, particularly the crackers processing team, project staffs and tribal elders of the community. New techniques were substantially learned in the field of branding, labeling, packaging and marketing. With the connection to the DTI, the organization has also participated to the recently conducted micro, small, medium enterprise (MSME) product expos in Valencia City and Cagayan de Oro City which helped the organization introduced its Taro-based product in the mainstream market. Hopefully, this will be sustained.  

10.   Compliance to Legal Requirements

Basic permits required for by the Local Government Units such as Barangay clearance, Mayors business permits, health certifications, fire and sanitary were all accomplished. Relative to the consumption of the funds allocated for the purpose, some portions of it were also expended for travels and other incidental costs during the processing of the permits covering not only one but several days for the different concern offices as well as follow up activities.       

Project Impact

The project has marginally able to addressed hunger and poverty, particularly to the targeted group  that include members of the Talaandig-Higaonon indigenous communities. Most of them are considered to belong the indigent or low-income families in the barangays (villages) of Ticala, Kilabong, Vista Villa, San Roque and Puntian. Originally, they were the target group of the project and became the actual beneficiaries.

A total of 112 farmers have directly benefited the project with 76 males and 36 females. As presented during the July 2019 progress report, the originally targeted 200 farmer-beneficiaries was practically not met because total crop planted by these 112 farmers had already  accomplished the total 100,000 target hills. Overwhelmed by the offered incentive of PhP1.50 per hill, few of them did not limit by cultivating only 500 hills, instead there are those who plant Taro ranging from 800 to 1,000 hills. For the early birds, some have planted even up to more than 2,000 hills. On the other hand, those who planted even at the minimum of 250 hills were still accommodated and were given the same incentives.

We considered the project a successful one by introducing the “pilot solution” thereby by initially establishing a 100,000 hills of Taro crop, thus helping the small farmers mostly indigent or low-income earners. Noticeably, they earned additional income for their families. At the onset of the project, the said families have already received an incentives of Php 1.50 per hill of Taro planted. These really motivated them and in effect, enticed other community members to do planting also.

After at least 8 months and 10 months at the maximum period, the planted crops were productive already producing harvestable fresh taro tubers. Based on record as computed , each hill has produced an average of 1.5 kilograms of fresh tubers. These produced were directly marketed to the organization for processing into Taro crackers/chips at PhP10.00 per kilogram. There are also few of them who marketed their yields at the town center during weekend’s market day bought at the same price. Hence at minimum for example, a farmer who planted 300 hills of Taro has produced around 450 kilos during harvest. Then the organization bought it at PhP10.00 per kilogram, therefore he or she earns an income of PhP4,500.00. For those who planted a larger volume of hills have definitely produced a larger harvested yield, though these crops were not planted at one time basis but at staggered considering the changing cycle of the farming season from wet to summer. Hence, for example, a farmer who has planted a total of 1,000 hills or 2,000 have not automatically earn an income of PhP15,000 or PhP30,000 in one time. Some of them, particularly those who just planted last May to July this 2019 in right timing for the rainy season are still yet to harvest their crops by January to March 2020. Nevertheless, it remarkably helped the farmers earned an additional income.

In most testimonies shared by the farmers, the PhP4,500.00 additional income out of the 300 hills Taro have already helped them buy some groceries, provided additional allowance for their students and few have even able to buy an ordinary cellular phones for basic communication purposes. To note with, in the Province of Bukidnon, one kilo of rice costs PhP40.00 to PhP45.00, average price of ordinary fish costs PhP100.00 per kilo, a kilo of brown sugar costs PhP 45.00 and the ordinary keypad cellular Phone costs about PhP500.00 to PhP1,000.00 per unit. Hence, we can say that the project really augmented the income of these indigenous families. These are but few of examples on how an additional income of PhP4,500.00 from the planted 300 hills of Taro practically helped the simple lives of the low income-  earner beneficiaries. In the globally complicated economy, these may look and sound too small, yet it demonstrated a positive impact to the lives of the members of the Talaandig tribal community.     

Business on progress:

With the initial support from the NWN, the Taro community enterprise is now on progress. Equipment such as the mechanized Taro cutter/chips maker, deep fryers including electrical sealers and weighing scales really boosted the community’s Lutya crackers production project. Way back before the mechanized Taro cutter was introduced, it took almost 2 minutes for a single piece (peeled regular sized) Taro tuber to be completely put into sliced pieces. But with the technology used, now it only takes 5-6 seconds to completely slice the same size of Taro, with a very uniformed thinness. The equipment is really quality and time efficient. In this way, local orders are easily addressed to and timely responded.

In terms of marketing, the organization has maintained its local markets, but for the time being is limited only with the nearby schools particularly in Ticala Elementary School, Sankanan National High School, Bukidnon National High School and Northern Bukidnon Community College.  The said four regular markets has a maintained average weekly demand of 1,000 packs per week sold at PhP10.00 per pack containing 50 grams each. The said packaging size was maintained and shall be retained in order to address the purchasing power of the consumers which are primarily composed of students. Hence presently, we have a monthly gross sales of PhP40,000.00 or US$769 per month. Out of this, deductibles include the production costs to include costs of raw taro tubers, cooking oil, fuel wood, LPG, pouch and packs, plastic bags, empty box, water and power consumption, transportation costs, honoraria, allowances, commission of the marketing officer and other related administrative costs. All in all, these comprised about 72% or PhP7,200 for every PhP10,000.00. Hence as computed, only 28% or PhP2,800.00 goes as net income. Not bad enough for new enterprise beginner, especially to an indigenous-led organization, in this case the MPUMATRIC.

Product Development Training and Trade Expos:

On July 3-4, 2019, the training on Taro crackers Product Development, packaging, branding, labeling, costing and marketing was finally conducted with the expertise of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) authorities, held in Barangay Ticala, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. It’s implementation was quite delayed due to some adjustments upon the availability of the focal persons and in-charge of the training.  Nonetheless, the result and impact were very relevant. In the day one, it started with the Talaandig tribe’s customary ritual, invoking the hallowed ancestors and spirits to provide guidance and blessings to the success of the activity. Among the new learnings and relevant lessons of the training are in the areas of  costing, branding and packaging. As the speaker has emphasized “packaging is the silent salesman”.  Standard labeling containing basic product information, good design with attractive color combination to catch the eyes of the customers critically matters. Based on their surveys, some customers especially those looking for a food souvenir items prefer first the looks of the package and then taste follows. But when excellent  packaging is coupled and combined with a quality taste, it shall definitely guaranty and ensure a good market. Excellent packaging also determines product price. Hence, even how low is the price of a product but does not catch the attention of the customers, it will certainly not be entertained in the market. The training was very relevant because prior to it, our packaging and labeling for our Taro crackers product was really far from the ideal. A lot of things were missing and lacking. Hence from a simple plastic wrapper, it is now improved into a new quality and presentable pouch (please see photos).

Following the said training, the MPUMATRIC was immediately invited and was given a slot by the DTI to participate the one day Bukidnon Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (BMSME) Development Council meeting on July 8, 2019 held at Loiza’s Pavilion, Casisang, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

The Conference bearing a theme “Inclusive and Sustainable Innovation for a Globally Competitive MSME” has  provided the 100+ participants with substantial information about the salient features of the “Ease of Doing Business Law” and the various financing programs for MSMEs offered by DTI’s partner financial institutions. The speakers have also introduced a Business Learning Session on Digital Marketing. The conference was attended by Datu Delvert Payanan, the project and marketing staff of the organization.

Finally, the DTI has facilitated the participation of the organization to the “First and Biggest Valencia City Trade Expo” on August 7-11, 2019 at the Robinsons Place, a prominent mall in the Province. In there, the MPUMATRIC’s Taro cracker products was formally introduced to the market. In addition, Taro crackers were also brought by the DTI and have it displayed during the “Kahimunan Festival” held at the SM Uptown Mall, Cagayan de Oro City on August 17-22, 2019. The said Trade Expo featured some MSME products in Northern Mindanao. Hopefully, the said initiatives will help the organization penetrate its Taro-based products in some larger markets in northern Mindanao. We are looking for some positive  development and opportunities within the next two years of our engagement with the DTI and other concern government agencies.                 

             Below is the diagram how the organization has started to operate its community enterprise project: 

             Table 2:

Name of Beneficiary / No. of Hills Planted

1.       Remedios D 

2,327

2.       Ludivina S 

785

3.       Godofredo M 

1,465

>>>>   >>>>>   >>>>>

109.         Greg B

850

110.         Ely S

500

111.         Norvin A

790

112.         Arsenio B

400

TOTAL

100,000

 Update with BIPAC:

On August 23, 2019, indigenous leaders of the seven ethnic groups of Bukidnon was saddened by the untimely death of one member of the Bukidnon Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council (BIPAC). She was Bae Lea Tumbalang, a woman Chieftain of the Tigwahanon tribe in the eastern part of the Province. Bae Lea suffered headshots by two unidentified perpetrators while walking the street of the City of Valencia. Accordingly on that day, she was about to process a financial loan at one of the local bank in the City for the growing expansion of their Taro crackers project also. She was also assisted by the DTI for the said purpose. The woman leader from the Municipality of San Fernando, Bukidnon is known to be vocal in progressively defending their ancestral land against the entry of mining during the previous years. As active pillar of the BIPAC, she is the only elder in the southeastern part of the province that has successfully developed the Taro crackers production and even penetrated some of the relevant markets in the south, bringing the brand name “Lea’s Taro Crackers”.  As part of the customary rite and burial ceremony, her tomb was laid on September 2, 2019 as monument to the ancestral domain of the Tigwahanon tribe in her municipality. 

At the positive side, the Bukidnon Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council (BIPAC) being the prime initiator to the Plant Millions Lutya Initiative is also moving forward. During its meetings, the council remained persistent and determined in promoting the initiated program. The good thing just this month of August 2019 is that the organization has already procured an equipment for Taro flour mill. Thus, aside from Taro cracker products, the organization has also aimed to produce Taro flours to be used as materials in making breads, pastries and organic pasta/noodles. The organization hopes to buy volumes of Taro tubers direct from the Taro planters in the province with a promising price. The updates and development regarding this venture is expected to be experienced starting year 2020. This is really a good development to the MPUMATRIC because definitely, it will encourage more tribal farmers to plant Taro.      

Financial Status:

The whole grant amounting to US$10,000 with a local corresponding amount of PhP522,399.96 was fully expended. The retained and unreleased amount under the project was already liquidated using the organization resources. Items covered by the said retained amount was funded locally. Should the NWN decides to released it, it shall automatically replenish the organization’s internal funds.

In this financial report, it can be noted that the total expenditures for the Establishment or construction of Taro production building has increased to US$2,125.08 or PhP111,014.31, far against the original allocation which only amounted to US$1,918.28 or PhP100,210.94. It is because the excess and saved amounts from other items were added for the procurement of materials for the constructions works, hence there was this adjustment. This was initially reported to the NWN as stipulated in the first progress report. Nonetheless, the overall amount of the liquidation remained the same based on the approved allocation of the entire project. At the actual scenario, there are other expenses related to the construction of the building but were not included to appear under this financial report so that it would not be confusing on the part of the NWN because the funds utilized on this purpose were taken from the internal funds of the organization, including portion of the initial net sales of the Taro crackers.

To be particular with, the total of PhP10,803.37 or US$206.802 that was added to the originally approved allocation for the establishment or construction of  Taro production area of PhP100,210.94 (US$1,918.28) were taken from the saved and excess of the following:

               Table 3:  

Item                                                                                                          Excess/saved amount in Local Currency (PhP) 

Excess/saved amount in US Dollar

Taro Chip slicer

1,063.59

20.37

Freight charges of the Taro slicer

3,957.62

75.76

Deep fryers

1,221.72

23.37

Freight charges of the deep fryers

1,097.04

21.00

Product sealers

772.64

14.79

Weighing scales 

148.76

2.85

Product Development Training

1,430.47

27.39

Compliance of Permits

1,111.53

21.27

TOTAL

10,803.37

206.80

Hence:

PhP 100,210.94 – Original allocation of the Establishment/construction of  production area

+         PhP 10,803.37 – Excess/saved amounts from other items above (Table 3).

             =============

           PhP 111,014.31  (US$2,125.08) Actual expenditures for Construction works as per Project.

                         *Please see separate Financial Status Report

Future Plan:

In the next coming periods, the MPUMATRIC shall sustain the project with the following plan and activities: 

1.       Sustain the coordination and linkage with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI);

2.       Explore some possible support and partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST);

3.       Explore some possible marketing support with the Local Government Units (LGUs) through its “Pasalubong Center” (souvenir) project outlets;

4.       Strengthen its linkage with the Seven tribes’ Bukidnon Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council (BIPAC) of the Province to possibly access some programs related to Taro production and processing;

5.       Explore the possibility of putting market outlets in the major bus Terminal areas of the town and the nearby Cities;

6.       Conduct of Basic Financial Bookkeeping and recording specifically for the community of Barangay Ticala in preparation for possible future turn-over of the Project from the MPUMATRIC down to the local Tribal Council for their own management.

         Prepared by:(Sgd.) DATU ELFRANCO L. LINSAHAY  Project Leader 

PROGRESS   REPORT  (NWN note: Project Director impacted by automobile  accident, final report not received}

Organisation name: MESOPOTAMIA NOTRE DAME RURAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

Accounting officer: Balyana Stephen 

Date: 4th March, 2019

SECTION A

Project Title: SMALL SCALE DRIP IRRIGATION SCHEME TO PRODUCE    SEEDS  FOR   DROUGHT AMD DISEASE RESISTANT CROPS  ( CEREALS AND PULSES).

Date Funded by NEXT WORLD NOW (NWN): December 2018

Period Covered by the Report: From 21st December 2018 to 4TH March 2019       

 SECTION B

NARRATIVE

Summary of Activities during the Period

Activity Status

1. Installation of  water reservoir  tank and filtering system    Done

2. Installation of PVC system  Done

3.  Installation of DRIP NETWORK  Done

4.  Training staff in drip irrigation repair and   maintenance system  Done

Status of Project Relative to Objectives   The project is 95% complete.

The Remaining Activities include:

     i.        Installation  of The Fertigation System

    ii.        Proto Testing  

    iii.        Commissioning 

    iv.        Summative  Evaluation

Problems Encountered

15% of the seedlings provided by Agromax (U) ltd got spoilt along the way due to the  long distance and poor handling.

Conclusions and Recommendations

The project is impressive and farmers are anxiously waiting  for the  output  .

The Fertigation System must be immediately installed  to do proto testing .

SECTION C

FINANCIAL ACTIVITY

1. CURRENCY CONVERSION

  Telegraphic Transfer   Date  12/19/2018  amount received  US $  2,500 / Exchange rate  1US $  =Ug 3,500 Total amount in Uganda shillings 8,750,000

SECTION D  2. Expenditures`

ACTIVITY    

INPUTS/ITEMS    Planned  amount  US$   Actual  US$    Contribution  from NWN  US$  Contribution  from MENODA  US$

• Installation of  water reservoir  tank and filtering system  16,000L HIGHLY PROJECTED   WATER RESERVOIR  TANK   1,600   1,550    ---- 1,550

• WATER FILTER SYSTEM  450 450 450

Sub total 2,900 2,850 450 1550

• Installation of PVC system

PIPE PVC GLUED 5 ATM 90 MM 1,308 1,308 1308

PIPE PVC GLUED 5TM 63MM

    PIPE PVC GLUED 6 ATM 50MM

PIPE PVC (GREY) GLUED 10 ATM 50 MM

FITTINGS AND ACCESSORIES

PIPE PVC (GREY) GLUED 10 ATM 63 MM

FITTINGS AND ACCESSORIES

HYDR.PLASTIC VALVE 75-2"-PRESSURE/REDUCI

C.A.V.GRAY PLASTIC 2" BSPT.PN10 DG-10

1 NUT VALVE THR. PVC F/M 2"

Subtotal 1,308 1,308    1,308

-

• Installation of DRIP NETWORK

800X 6.5 DRIP LATERAL LINE 60(24mil) 16-0.8-0,33

FITTINGS AND ACCESSORIES  2,892. 2,892. 2,892.

150 M LDPE IRRIGATION PIPE 20/2.5

200 M LDPE IRRIGATION PIPE 16/2.5

SUB TOTAL 2,892. 2,892. 2,892

• Cost of labour for Installation,  Training staff  in drip  irrigation  (maintenance system), Seed & Planting  724 724 --- 724

Sub total 724 724 --- 724

Grand total 7,824 6,924 4,650 2,274

N.B.

1)     The first installment of US$  2,500  from  NWN  met  costs of Water Filter System (US$450),  Installation of PVC system (US$ 1,308) and part payment  for  Installation of DRIP NETWORK  (US$ 742 )   

2)    Remaining Activities  Include:

a.    Installation   of The Fertigation System(US$ 350)

b.    Proto Testing   and effecting payment  of US$ 150)

c. Commissioning (US$ 174.6)

d. Summative  Evaluation  (US$ 300)

e. Effecting Payment of  US $ 2,150 as final payment on Installation of Drip Network   and  reservoir stand (US$ 850)

 3)    Community members  and  beneficiary  farmers provided labour (casual)  in digging trenches for water pipes   and planting seeds and seedlings

 .