From Root to Resource: Enhancing Farmers’ Capacities through the TRAIL Project

The TRAIL (Transformed and Resilient Community through Alternative Indigenous Livelihoods) project, implemented in 2022 in Barangay Lonoy, Maasin City, aimed to strengthen the capacities of 45 members of the local Farmers’ Association through a series of targeted training sessions. Key activities included leadership development, gender and development, financial literacy, cooperative systems, and karlang (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) utilization for value-added production. Participants learned to process karlang into flour, chips, brownies, and meatballs, supported by training in costing, marketing, and packaging. Using participatory and gender-inclusive approaches, the project fostered high engagement and practical skill application. Overall, TRAIL contributed to increased livelihood awareness, improved organizational functions, and strong potential for sustaining inclusive, community-led economic initiatives in rural settings.