Twenty-five farmer associations showcased organic or naturally-grown agricultural commodities in the three-day Produkto Lokal Festival Trade Fair and Exhibit held on February 17 to 19 at Iloilo Business Park Festive Parade Walk, Iloilo City.
Organized by the Youth First Initiative in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Office 6, Produkto Lokal is a market linkage model that serves as a consortium of both homegrown and local producers.
DA RFO 6 funded the exhibit fees of organic farmers’ associations and processors from the different local government units (LGUs) in Western Visayas. A total of P275, 000.00 sales were generated after the three-day exhibit which ran from 2pm to 10pm.
Some of the participating groups were the Vegetable Growers Association of Tubungan, Philippine Association of Agri Herbal Growers of Lambunao, Estancia Stall Owners Association, Roselle Food Products from Iloilo City, Panay Organic Producers Association, Miagao’s Best, Philippine Carabao Center at WVSU-Calinog Campus, Balay Tablea from Cabatuan, Zarraga Integrated Diversified Organic Farmers Association, among others.
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Iloilo City mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog commended the efforts of the youth group and other partner agencies in coming up with this event.
“Ilonggos should support local products especially that part of Iloilo City’s Youth Development Program is to provide livelihood and entrepreneurship for the young,” said Mabilog.
He also cited that in December 10 last year, similar activities were held in the city—the Weekend Tienda sa Iloilo launched at Casa Real, and the Merkado de Iloilo at Atria Park District.
“We hope that we could finally find a permanent venue for the promotion and marketing of your organic produce. The City Government encourages the youth to support our Urban Farming Program. We have already identified a 3.4 hectare-property of DA which will be used as urban farm. DA will also provide necessary technology assistance to make this undertaking successful and sustainable,” he further explained.
National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Dr. Adoracion M. Navarro, NEDA 6 Regional Director Ro-Ann Bacal, and DA Asst. Secretary for Regulations and the Visayas Atty. Hansel O. Didulo represented by executive assistant Ching Flores also graced the opening of the trade fair. [By Sheila Toreno/DA6Information]
