1st Visayan Corn Congress to be held in Iloilo City
For the first time, stakeholders and other players in the corn industry from the three regions in the Visayas islands will gather here in this city on August 21 to 23, 2006 for the 1st Visayan Corn Congress.
Department of Agriculture (DA) 6 Regional Director Jindra Linda Demeterio said this an opportunity to promote the corn industry in the region as she cited the importance of the sector in the country's agriculture.
Larry Nacionales, DA 6 Regional Technical Director said the holding of the activity is being initiated by the Northern Iloilo Corn Producers Association Incorporated (NICPAI), an association of private corn producers in Iloilo province and facilitated by the DA. However, it was Philippine Maize, Inc. who conceptualized the activity.
"This event will be beneficial to the participants since this will cover topics and other activities relevant to the development of the corn industry", Nacionales said.
After the opening ceremonies on August 21, participants will be given overview of the National Corn Program Agenda and Government Interventions, status of the Corn Industry in Visayas as well as updates on the corn sector.
The three-day event will also involve sessions on investment prospects, marketing and government financing, effective corn production, technological development and updates and a field tour to Sara, Iloilo, one of the largest corn growing municipality in the province of Iloilo.
Invited to keynote the event is Agriculture Secretary Domingo Panganiban.
(PIA)