This developed after the success of the Kadayawan Agricultural Exhibit this month which showcased the city’s chocolate and other cacao products, organic vegetables, fruits, and other produce such as organic chicken, eggs, and bangus.
In a report from the City Information Office (CIO) Edgardo Haspe, city agriculturist said the exhibit “was generally successful,” with the 10 participating groups of farmers and processed product producers earning a total of P244,127 from August 15 to 21.
Haspe said more than two tons of fruits such as durian, marang, pomelo, dragon fruit and avocado were displayed, a total of 1.5 tons of which were sold. The exhibit also sold 400 kilograms of the total 500 kg of vegetables, 100 kg of bangus and 45 kg of chicken.
Haspe said there could have been more produce exhibited as there were more farmers willing to participate in the exhibit, but were not accommodated due to the lack of space in the venue. This is why future exhibits will be expanded to include more farmers and processed products manufacturers, he said.
Exhibits and agri-tourism are very important as these open the doors for the city’s farmers and processors to future markets both local and foreign, he said.
“f there are future markets, with the aid of the exhibit, they [tourists] can see that they can bring these products home, so they will invite our local producers,” Haspe said.
“We are pushing for more exhibits in more areas the likes of supermarkets, malls so we can showcase our globally-competitive produce and products in the city,” he added.
The office is preparing for the upcoming organic produce exhibit in November, with a number of participants who already signed up.
Aside from local exhibits, the CAGRO is also pushing to increase the visibility of the city’s produce by creating direct links to international markets. An example of this is the office’s effort to penetrate the Chinese durian market.
Haspe said that Chinese durian players have finished assessing the quality of the city’s durian produce last week, bringing Davao City’s durian a step closer to becoming a global product.
Photo from Flower Avenue Davao