LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – To adhere to its main objective to link the farmers to the buyers, the “Highland Vegetable Investment Forum cum Trade Fair” will be finally conducted on May 16-17.
Dr. Danilo P. Daguio, Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) OIC-Chief Operation Officer, explained that the activity was first targeted to be conducted last April 27-29. It was re-scheduled to give a longer time for the DA to invite more buyers and participants.
The “Highland Vegetable Investment Forum cum Trade Fair” is an activity of the Department of Agriculture in partnership with the BAPTC.
It specifically aims to discuss with the stakeholders the BAPTC operation, programs and interventions, and policy guidelines. It also seek to provide information on the operation and management of the BAPTC and provide farmers a proper venue to discuss issues with other stakeholders such as buyers, government agencies, LGU’s and NGO’s.
Furthermore, the activity aspires to develop initial agreement with potential business partners, investors, direct buyers/traders who may be willing to deal with the BAPTC vegetable trading to strengthen farmer-to-institutional marketing system. The activity is also a venue to provide information on good agricultural practices (GAP) and the National Organic Agricultural Program.
Lastly, it also aims to provide publicy awareness on available, accessible and affordable supply of healthy, clean and sanitary food.
On the first day, the Project Steering Committee will deliver their messages while DA Sec. Proceso J. Alcala will convey the key message. Members of the BAPTC Farmer Leaders’ Council will be presented following the conduct of the press conference. On the afternoon is the sharing of experiences on the marketing and production technologies in Japan, market matching, Presentation of requirements from the institutional buyers, and the business-to-business encounter.
Individual, and group, of farmers will also exhibit their champion products prior to negotiation with initial buyers. The exhibited products of the accredited individual and group of farmers are open for retail. There will be a presentation of technologies, farm inputs, processing and postharvest equipment, and production equipment.
Activities on the second day will include seminar on: Updates on BAFS; Philippine Vegetable Standards, and the Organic Agriculture Program. A Vegetable Cooking Contest on salad preparation and main course is scheduled in the afternoon.
The investment forum cum trade fair will take place on the BAPTC Compound, Strawberry Fields, La Trinidad, Benguet.
Most of the buyers invited for the trade fair are from huge institutions, thus requiring a bigger volume of various commodities. In this regard, farmers especially cooperatives and associations are encouraged to undergo and complete necessary requirements for accreditation before the Investment Forum cum Trade Fair.
By JDayao
