AROUND 800 tropical fruits and cacao growers will join the Mindanao Farmers Summit on Dec. 12 to discuss value chains, economies of scale, and agricultural challenges.
Olie Dagala, director of the Mindanao Development Authority’s (MinDA) Investment Promotions and Public Affairs Office, noted that the island is still an agri-based economy. So, they hoped to secure some funds after the budget hearing for interventions that would benefit farmers.
Ronita Buenaventura, Camp Asia-Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) senior manager, said the summit aims to spotlight the agricultural strength of Mindanao as the island is known to be the food basket of the Philippines.
Buenaventura added that they will invite development players and guests from government agencies who will also examine the challenges of agriculture.
“It’s a Mindanao wide participation because we want also to showcase the activity of Camp Asia and might be a good benchmarking in other commodities,” Dagala said on Wednesday’s media forum.
The Mindanao Farmers Summit is in close partnership with the Department of Agriculture and other agencies with the venue still to be announced.
