Advocating available and affordable food for all

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BY JULIO P. YAP JR.
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Wednesday, October 18, 2017
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AT LEAST five consortia of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCAARRD-DOST) once more joined this year’s Davao Agri Trade Expo (DATE), which is considered as the biggest agri trade expo in Mindanao.

The three-day event was recently held at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier in Lanang, Davao City.

The Western Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESMAARRDEC), Northern Mindanao Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (NOMCAARRD), Southern Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural  Resources Research and Development Consortium (SMAARRDEC), Cotabato Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (CAARRDEC), and the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao Agriculture and Aquamarine Resources Research Development Consortium (ARMMARRDEC) joined the said event.

With the theme “Towards available and affordable food for all,” DATE 2017 event focused on the different fields of livestock, hogs, poultry, gamefowl, and of course, aquaculture.

Held for the last 19 years, DATE remains to be a venue for the gathering of global and national experts.

Its primary purpose is to generate essential ideas, best practices, updates on agricultural standards, and emerging markets that can help boost the agriculture industry of Mindanao.

To achieve this goal, the event featured an agri-trade exhibit, different technical seminars, business matching, and agri financing focus group discussion.

Government organizations and private enterprises that joined DATE this year showcased agri-aqua technologies, agricultural inputs, equipment, and farm machineries, among other products.

They also provided lectures in different fora on various topics such as agri-aqua technologies and possible business opportunities.

Representatives coming from various local government units (LGUs), national government agencies, the academe, and businessmen, among other stakeholders, attended DATE’s opening ceremonies.

The government agencies that participated included the National Dairy Authority (NDA), Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), Department of Agriculture in Region-11 (DA-11), Department of Health in Region-11 (DOH-11), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, also in Region-11 (BFAR-11), and PCAARRD-DOST and its consortia in Mindanao.

On the other hand, among the private sector participants were San Miguel Foods, Inc., BMEG, Vitarich Corporation, Altech Philippines, and Santeh Feeds.

The member agencies of the PCAARRD’s Mindanao-based consortia showcased different technologies which aimed to contribute to Davao City’s continuing effort to improve agricultural productivity in the region, and at the same time empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

These included the purification process of native chicken, particularly the ZamPen by the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU), goat meat by the Central Mindanao University (CMU), seaweed by-products by Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST), quick test kit for haram by the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) and Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU), and seaweeds and slaughter goat by Mindanao State University (MSU).

Led by the Davao City Chamber of Commerce (DCCC), DATE bridges the gap between agri-traders, businessmen and consumers-alike.

It aims to develop the agriculture industry, primarily for the interest of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Davao region. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)
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