BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Agriculture-Cordillera (DA-CAR), through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division(AMAD), in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-CAR and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)-CAR kicked off recently the Agribusiness Support for Promotion and Investment in Regional Exposition (ASPIRE) 2022 with a ribbon-cutting of the KADIWA Trade Fair at the New Town Plaza Hotel in Navy Base.
With about 200 farmers and entrepreneurs from the Cordilleras, this year’s ASPIRE revolves around inspiring the agripreneurs or farmer-entreprenuers towards a resilient and innovative agricultural sector. As agripreneurs, the farmers are encouraged to elevate into becoming entrepreneurs and not only producers of food to further promote and add value to their products. For the Trade Fair, it promotes fresh and processed agricultural products of the young farmers challenge (YFC) awardees region-wide including some farmers cooperatives and associations.
DA-CAR Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan warmly welcomed the participants noting that the event has brought them together with the common purpose of knowledge building, learning and unlearning, recognition of commitments, and collaboration.
The crucial role of the young farmers in sustaining agriculture is also highlighted. In the message of DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Cameron P. Odsey conveyed by Dawayan, said that the young farmers have the crucial role as duty bearers to become game changers in the challenging era of agriculture. He is thankful that the support to farmers through the ASPIRE Program, to develop successful agripreneurs, has been extended to the youth more prominently in the recent years. Hence, the youth are able to introduce new ideas, practice networking and collaboration, value addition, techniques and technologies to make production and marketing activities more efficient resulting to higher yield, lesser expenses, and eventually bringing more income.
DTI-CAR OIC-Assistant Director Atty. Gallardo also noted that while things are returning to normal, we have to acknowledge that the road to economic prosperity and improved quality of life is long and winding. “We need to accelerate the upscaling and upgrading of our enterprises to be able to compete with our competitors,” he challenged the participants.
To further inspire the participants specifically the young farmers, YFC 2021 Regional Awardee Mr. Shawnie Dale Bitso also shared his experiences in his journey to developing his mushroom enterprise and winning different challenges, hence, enabling him to grow and improve his enterprise and farm as a whole in Tuba, Benguet.
The ASPIRE which runs until tomorrow features discussions on farm tourism and accreditation; digitalization on investments, logistics and payment system presentation; and programs for the youth. These will be presented by invited resource speakers from the concerned government offices and private organizations. Knowledge-sharing will also be done among the young farmers through a talk show to share and learn from each other’s experiences.
Meanwhile, one of the highlights of the opening program is the awarding of symbolic cheques and certificates of recognition to the seven YFC 2022 regional best enterprise implementers. The awardees are: Raymark Manawas from Mt. Province (Highland Rabbit Feeds Production); Justina Nadiahan from Ifugao (Pomme d’amour Tomato Spread by Farmer’s Equip); Jomarie Mangeg from Benguet (Frugies de Locale); Josephine Guimangal, Lovely Joy Paddapad, and John Mark Daping from Ifugao (Am-iyoung’s Yuyu Farm; Cris Reshon Guiral from Kalinga (Solar-powered Urban Fishery-High-Density Production Module), Florinda Tiw-an, Nora Hill Evasco, and Genalyn As-il of Benguet (Shamun BSF Insectary); and Aimee Gaddao from Kalinga (Aim’s Mulberry and Cocoon Production). Atty. Dawayan and AMAD Chief Joan Bacbac led the awarding together with OIC-DTI-CAR Assistant Director Atty. Samuel Gallardo, Engr. Leandro Tabilog from the Office of Baguio City Mayor, and 4-H Club President Mr. Ryan Palunan.
The awardees will be receiving PhP150,000 grant per enterprise as additional capital for their chosen enterprises. Earlier this November, the seven awardees completed their business pitching for the YFC’s Phase I National Level Competition via online platform By JBAgrifino and AGBanganga