REG’L VEGGIE COMMITTEES EYED

Regional committees envisioned to help improve local vegetable industry per region.

The Vegetable Industry Council of Southern Mindanao (Vicsmin) president aims to form a vegetable industry committee representing each region in order to create an avenue for discussions and further representation for farmers throughout the country.

Vicsmin president Genovivo Cajes said the committees will be formed along with the representatives from government agencies like the Department of Agriculture (DA).

“Kailangan natin ng tatlong representatives mula sa bawat rehiyon, dalawang farmer leaders at isa mula sa government agencies, like DA (We need three representatives from each region, two farmer leaders and one from the government agencies like DA),” Cajes said.

Cajes underscored the importance of reviving this committee in order to address the issues from the region regarding their local vegetable industry.

“Kailangan natin itong buoin upang makagawa tayo ng mas malawak na avenue para magawan natin ng paraan ang mga concerns natin (We need to form this in order to form a much wider avenue for us to answer our concerns),” Cajes said on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 during the 17th National Vegetable Congress at Davao Convention Center.

He also added in this way the committee can also be a good medium in building future business and agricultural partnerships with other regions. This can also generate good camaraderie between Filipino farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs.

DA undersecretary Pompei Laviña said during the vegetable congress that the rich market potential of developing the farmer's sector can be advantageous in boosting the country's economy.

“Where do we start here in the vegetable industry? We are at $2 billion market as far as Asia-Pacific region is concerned. And $3 billion by 2021, and that is being a big market,” Laviña said.

itong “Kailangan makagawa buoin upang natin tayo ng mas malawak na avenue para magawan natin ng paraan ang mga concerns natin (We need to form this in order to form a much wider avenue for us to answer our concerns).” Genovivo Cajes Vicsmin president

MACKY LIM WOFEX 2018.Spectators gather around a pastry chef at a booth inside the World Food Expo in SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City as he makes a floral cake yesterday morning.