[Philippines] Trade exhibit to give organic farming a boost

from Sun Star

KORONADAL CITY -- Organizers of the upcoming Yamang Mindanao trade exhibit are confident the event will greatly benefit organic farming industry and will give growers of organic vegetables and other agricultural products a chance to attract domestic and international buyers.

"Particularly in the European and Asean markets, the consumer trend lately is on healthy foods, meaning those grown the organic way," John Ray dela Cruz, head of the Advocate of Philippine Fair Trade Inc., told a press conference in this city.

European buyers had already confirmed their attendance to the trade fair that will showcase products from the six regions of Mindanao.

The event would be held in General Santos City from July 15 to 17.

Dela Cruz said institutional buyers such as the Manila-based SM Mall and Robinson's would also be coming over to forge possible agreements with producers of organic crops.

"These domestic buyers have vowed to help link Mindanao producers to other buyers," he said.

Ibrahim Guiamadel, regional director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), said they are also expecting expansion among existing businesses or producers in the region with the holding of the island-wide trade fair.

"Definitely, there would be additional investments resulting in more generation of jobs by way of this trade exhibit," he said.

Dorecita Delima, DTI-Central Mindanao assistant regional director, said they have projected the trade expo to generate P75 million sales for all exhibitors.

"The figure could go higher given the likely bulk orders but we have not included this in our projections for Yamang Mindanao," she said.

Yamang Mindanao, which loosely translates to "riches of Mindanao," is aimed at highlighting the Philippine's best products particularly in Mindanao.

Organizers of the event said that around 100 products from across Mindanao will be exhibited during the trade fair.