The News Today Online

AgriFair 2005

Text and Photos by Wein P. Gadian

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) had an opportunity to extend sales and marketing activities in the recently conducted Agri-Fair 2005 last October 19-22 at the Robinsons Place. This is also the Department of Agriculture’s first “All –Ilonggo” Agri-Fair and Food Exhibits in the 21st Century. It aims to attract people from all over the region and gives a chance for consumers and industrialists to witness the various agri-products and food related exhibits assembled in the region. In a theme: “Agri-Entrepreneurship: The Key Towards Global Competitiveness”, these SMEs products were given venue to gain local and international market.

The Agri-Fair showcased our local agri-products, ideas, news and views from all six provinces: Iloilo, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras and Negros Occidental. It also featured our local talents on a showdown dubbed, Pasundayag 2005. There was also a Farmers Dialogue with DA Undersecretary Salvador Salacup (Oct.19) and series of talks were also conducted daily: The Market Matching on “Pork in a Box” (Oct.19), Market Opportunities Seminars on “Saba Banana” (Oct.20), “Corn and Cassava” (Oct.20) and “Cutfoliage” (Oct. 21).

In its opening last October 19, Salacup said that the Agri-Fair is a project for SMEs that focuses on three key objectives: Market access, International Promotion and teaching producers and fisher folks advancing through retail production. He also adds that DA is now launching its nationwide search for Huwarang Palengke. This search is on wet markets with clean surroundings and with vendors selling goods at reasonable prices. In Metro Manila out of 68 markets only 10 has qualified for the program.

The Agri-Fair is supported by the local government and participated by the agencies of Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit No. 6, Provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental.