DA spearheads Farmer’s Fest in Camarines Sur

By Analiza S. Macatangay

PILI, CAMARINES SUR, May 18 (PIA) -- At least 27 barangay food terminals (BFTs) participated in the recently concluded Farmer’s Festival and Regional Food Terminal Summit cum Agricultural trade fair held at the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Office compound here last May 14 to 16.

The three-day affair showcased variety of agricultural stuffs, organic harvests, and handicrafts produced by various agricultural organizations.

The fair was highlighted with the day to day event that capped the essence of the celebration; the Agri-Tiangge, which featured agricultural produce such as fresh vegetables, fruits, sea foods, recycled products, dried fish, other organic products on the first day; a Corn Cluster Mobile Conference and Regional Corn technical working group meeting where update on the Agri-Pinoy Corn Project was held on the second day, while the third day was declared as DA Employees Day and Livelihood Sector Day.

Other activities include the Farmer’s Forum on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security, DA-5 Funwalk and Summerfest celebration and the Farmers’ Training on the Sustainability of BFTs.

Anchored on the theme “Sapat na Pagkain, Sama-Sama Nating Kamtin,” the activity endeavors to celebrate the significant leap that the farmers and fisherfolks have achieved in increasing their productivity while strengthening their roles as active partners of the government in ensuring sustainable food production and ascertaining stable food sources in their respective communities.

DA Regional Executive Director Dr. Jose V. Dayao lauded the BFT for introducing innovative products to the consumers. This, he said, was also due to the technology updates and program advocacies that the department is pushing, particularly concerning market linkages and promotion.

The establishment of BFTs aims to develop an alternative market for the farmers, where they can have access to direct consumers while providing employment opportunities to community members through the various livelihood components like the establishment of satellite outlets, rolling stores, packaging and processing centers.

Dayao added that currently there are already more than 100 BFTs actively promoting the said program all over the Bicol Region. Partakers are given free technical assistance while farmer beneficiaries also undergo training. Provision of freezer chiller, weighing scale, coconut shredder, mixer and other equipment used in selling agricultural products are provided by DA to the accredited farmers’ organization.

Since 2007, a total of P10 million were already devoted to the food terminal projects involving the six provinces of the Bicol Region. Based on the record of DA, acceptance rate of the said program is high in the provinces as compared to the greater Metro Manila area.

BFT terminals serve as food depot and distribution outlets in the community offering affordable, safe and quality food products like meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, fruits, and basic commodities where not only the farmers are benefited but also the consumers who both enjoy the fresh agricultural products as well as its affordable price. (MAL/LSM-PIA Camarines Sur)