Leslie Taranza
The journey of Leslie Taranza, a Manobo Dulangan leader from Brgy. Kulaman, Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat, shows how women are shaping the future of rural communities through agriculture.
At 48, Ms. Taranza has become a pillar of strength in her community. Inspired by her grandfather, Sultan Tagenek Dakias, a respected Tribal Datu, she grew up witnessing how leadership and dedication could uplift an entire tribe. From a young age, she knew she wanted to follow in his footsteps.
Her journey into leadership was challenging. Ms. Taranza began as the secretary of the Kulaman Manobo Development Organization (KMDO) in 2019 and later became its president in 2024. As a member of an Indigenous Peoples (IP) group and a woman leader, she faced challenges, but remained committed to serving her community.
“As an IP woman leader, it is not easy. But because our community needs us—especially the women—to be empowered and become agents of change, I am happy to serve,” she shared.
Like many farmers in the area, Ms. Taranza once struggled with low productivity and unstable income. Coffee farming was not seen as a reliable source of livelihood due to inconsistent harvests and fluctuating market prices. To support her family, she worked as a temporary employee of the LGU while farming coffee, coconut, and durian on the side.
Despite these challenges, Indigenous women like Ms. Taranza continued working in agriculture—not by choice, but out of necessity to support their families.
Everything began to change with the support of the DTI RAPID Growth Project.
Through the project, Ms. Taranza and her fellow farmers received seedlings to expand coffee farms, rehabilitated 40 hectares of unproductive trees, and were equipped with tools such as pruning shears, grafting knives, and mini chainsaws. They also underwent trainings on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), helping them shift from traditional methods to more sustainable and productive farming techniques.
The results were significant.
Coffee production increased by 20% and harvest quality improved by 70%, allowing farmers to command better prices in the market. With newly planted seedlings now bearing fruit, the community is also securing a more stable supply of coffee for the future.
Beyond farming, the community has taken major steps forward—launching their own coffee brand, Kape Kailawan, and establishing stronger market connections through partnerships with Sultan Kudarat Coffee Ventures, Inc. and other buyers.
For Ms. Taranza, these changes mean more than increased income. They represent a future where coffee farming can sustain families and support the education of the next generation.
This National Women’s Month, Leslie Taranza’s story highlights the power of women’s leadership in agriculture. Through initiatives like the DTI RAPID Growth Project, women farmers like her are not only strengthening their livelihoods through better income and market opportunities, but are also stepping forward as leaders—shaping decisions, guiding their communities, and driving inclusive growth from within.
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