DAVAO CITY-Five consortia of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development, Department of Science and Technology, once more joined this year’s Davao Agri Trade Expo (DATE), the biggest agri trade expo in Mindanao.
The three-day event, which ran from September 21-23, 2017 was held at SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier, Lanang, Davao City.
The Western Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESMAARRDEC), Northern Mindanao Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (NOMCAARRD),Southern Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (SMAARRDEC), Cotabato Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (CAARRDEC), and the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao Agriculture and Aquamarine Resources Research Development Consortium (ARMMARRDEC) joined the said event.
With the theme “Towards available and affordable food for all,’ DATE 2017 focused on livestock, hogs, poultry, gamefowl, and aquaculture.
Held for the last 19 years, DATE remains to be a venue for the gathering of global and national experts. Its purpose is to generate essential ideas, best practices, updates on agricultural standards, and emerging markets that can help boost Mindanao’s agriculture industry.
To achieve this goal, the event features agri-trade exhibit, technical seminars, business matching, and agri financing focus group discussion.
Government organizations and private enterprises that joined DATE this year showcased agri-aqua technologies, agricultural inputs, equipment, and farm machinery, among other products. They also provided lectures in different fora on various topics such as agri-aqua technologies and possible business opportunities.
The government agencies included National Dairy Authority; Philippine Carabao Center; Department of Agriculture, Region Xl; Department of Health, Region Xl; Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Region Xl; and DOST-PCAARRD and its consortia in Mindanao.
Among the private sector participants, on the other hand, were San Miguel Foods, Inc; BMEG,Vitarich Corporation; Altech Philippines; and Santeh Feeds.
The member agencies of the DOST-PCAARRD’s Mindanao-based consortia showcased different technologies which aimed to contribute to Davao’s continuing effort to improve agricultural productivity in the region and at the same time empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
These included the purification process of native chicken, particularly ZamPen by Western Mindanao State University (WMSU); goat meat by the Central Mindanao University (CMU), seaweed by- products by Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST) ; quick test kit for haram by the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) and Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU), and seaweeds and slaughter goat by Mindanao State University (MSU).
Led by the Davao City Chamber of Commerce, DATE bridges the gap between agri-traders, businessmen and consumers-alike. It aims to develop the agriculture industry, primarily for the interest of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Davao region.