Cotabato’s Kalivungan festival kicks off with agro-trade fair

KIDAPAWAN CITY — The weeklong Kalivungan Festival, which highlights North Cotabato’s abundant harvests of agricultural and forestry products, finally opened with the annual economic enterprise, “MarketMarket sa Kapitolyo” and ‘Agro-Forestry Trade Fair.’

The trade fair, according to Kalivungan Fiesta 2017 in-charge Jo Abellana, is focused on North Cotabato’s main agricultural products like fruit wines, high-yielding varieties of cereals, native handicrafts, among others.

The province’s main products include organic rice, corn, rubber, banana, African palm oil, exotic fruits, and several vegetables.

Since 2012, the province registered high yield in rice, corn, and other agricultural varieties.

Also, the, ‘Market-Market sa Kapitolyo’ features tourist destinations and potential attractions in the province, including the majestic and breathtaking Asik-Asik spring falls in Alamada town; the seven spring falls in Barangay Bongolanon, Magpet; and Makilala town’s zipline, probably Asia’s longest.

Abellana said they invited several agro-traders, business people, and investors to join the ‘Market-Market sa Kapitolyo’ where they are given the opportunity to sell their products. This included the Tabuan Micro Small Medium Enterprise Special.

The ‘Market-Market’ also features, ‘Fiesta Kulinarya’, a province-wide skills competition on food preparation, food styling or designing, and hotel kitchen and restaurant management.

Other than the agro-trade fair, Abellana said the weeklong Kalivungan Festival also highlights, Kavurunan and Tau Sox Festival of the First People; Laro ng Lahi; Lumba sa Pulangi; Banca Race; Himig, Sayaw at Musikahan, and Employees’ Costume Parade.

Senator Cynthia Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, and Vice-President Leni Robredo are expected at the festival’s culmination day.