By Erwin M. Mascariñas
Correspondent .
Some 84 product exhibitors from different parts of Caraga Region has successfully showcased their products here during the 2018 Agribusiness Support for Promotion and Investment in Regional Exposition or ASPIRE.
Department of Agriculture (DA)-Caraga, in partnership with the region’s Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) even hoped to help different agriculture and fishery-based products to thrive in their emerging markets.
DTI in Agusan del Norte provincial director Brenda Baybay-Corvera pointed out that the activity is a reach out program in partnership and collaboration with DA and the private sectors.
“Since we already have existing collaborations with the DA and other sectors, this event hopes to bolster that partnership especially now with PCCI. This are all part of what we call value chain, DA takes care of the production, input provision and production, the post production and trading and the DTI takes care of processing, marketing and then of course the whole chain and then PCCI represent the whole private sector and entrepreneurs,” said Corvera.
According to Covera with DTI they have their shared facility to enable more advance technology for processing and for this year round marketing event help their emerging products and small medium entrepreneurs
DA Agri Marketing Assistance chief Lynn Pareñas explained the significance of the event for farmers and fisher folks.
“The concept of ASPIRE started here in Caraga Region, this was created to emphasize on the convergence between the government and the private sector, then it was replicated throughout the entire Philippines that formed part of the DA project,” said Pareñas.
“DA has micro, small and medium enterprises, which are comprised of farmers and some are fisher folks. We are helping these entrepreneurs put additional economic value by transforming their usual agricultural or fisheries product into a product for a different market” said Pareñas.
“We are not only highlighting these entrepreneurs but we are also pushing and helping them out on their capability building. Parts of these are seminars on entrepreneurships, product developments, safety and food preservations all targeted toward improving their products,” she said.
“Hopefully all of these will push our producers to have good quality products that will be easier to market, yet very affordable for consumers to enjoy,” Pareñas added.
Both DTI and DA expressed that the event was a success as it was able to reach its aim on enhancing profitability, sustainability, and competitiveness among the local producers of Caraga Region.
The 3-day event concluded on October 14, 2018 at the Robinsons atrium in Butuan City
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