Manggayahay Talaandig Tribal Association (MANTALA), Inc., a farmer organization (FO)-MSME based in Bukidnon, has been recognized with the 2024 Forest Impact Acceleration Award for its business pitch during the Forest Fest 2024 in Ayala Malls Centrio in Cagayan de Oro City.
MANTALA, situated in Sitio Migtulod, Mt. Nebo, Valencia City, Bukidnon, is one of the assisted FOs of the Rural Agro-Enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Its main source of living is organic coffee, but it also weaves handicrafts such as baskets, bags, and banig to have a sustainable income throughout the year.
MANTALA won P100,000 for its business pitch on “MANTALA Rattan Nursery.” The presentation was on a proposed enterprise that aims to sustain the rattan production of the organization while protecting and conserving the forest. Rattan is a major raw material being used by MANTALA for its handicraft making.
The business pitching was one of the major activities of the Forest Fest 2024. It was organized by the Forest Foundation Philippines together with The Spark Project.
courtesy of DTI-10
