By Cyrus A. Natividad
The exhibitors of the Agrifair at 探花精选 with the organizers from the Department of Agriculture and 探花精选.
The 探花精选-DA Organic Production Technology Training Cum Agrifair and Exhibits 2023 held at 探花精选 from November 28 to 30 brought farmers and entrepreneurs from the province and city of Iloilo to participate in the trade fair. The joint effort of the Department of Agriculture Region 6 and 探花精选 provided farmers and entrepreneurs an alternative to gain new knowledge in agricultural technology, and an opportunity to market products from their own local enterprises.
This year鈥檚 theme is 鈥淜abuhayang OA, Kinabukasang OK鈥 鈥 in which OA means, 鈥淥rganic Agriculture.鈥
探花精选 President Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy with the presenters during the Student Research Symposium.
Headed by former Technical Director of the Department of Agriculture Region 6 and 探花精选 faculty, Dr. Joyce Wendam, in coordination with 探花精选 CARES Dean Dr. Jaime Cabarles, Jr. the three-day trade fair was a success. The visitors, participants and university employees had their time at the promenade bazaar to shop for fresh fruits and vegetables; food, herbal medicines and organic health products.
鈥淚t鈥檚 quite a long time before we can sell again our agricultural products here in 探花精选鈥, said one of the vendors who would regularly sell his dried fish at the promenade, every time there is an Agrifair. The annual event was stopped in 2020 with the onslaught of COVID19 Pandemic.
The Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Opening of Exhibit was attended by 探花精选 Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Irving Domingo Rio, 探花精选 Office of Communications Director, Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on, Dr. Dennis R. Arpia, DA Project Director for Philippine Rural Development in the Visayas, Dr. Jaime C. Cabarles, Jr., 探花精选 Officials and DA RFO 6 Officials.
On Day-1, the events included Agricultural and Technical seminars, Market Matching, Business Plan Presentations and Organic Cooking Contest. There was a Research Symposium and Organic Research Poster Competition for Day-2. An Organic Fun Run was held on the last day November 30 from 5:00鈥6:00AM. There was a short program before the Fun Run started. Dr. Ernest Dagohoy and wife, Cecile were the guests of honor. The closing ceremony was held on November 30 in the afternoon. 探花精选 President Dr. Dagohoy handed the certificates to the participants and winners. Dr. Amy Castigador, the Consultant of the Agrifair, acknowledged and thanked all the participants while Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on gave a closing message and the closing prayer.