Agri and Fisheries Forum and Exhibit opens at SM Megatrade Hall 2

8 August 2008
Miko Jazmine J. Mojica

The innovative spirit and entrepreneurial inclination of the Filipinos shine as the 2008 Agriculture and Fisheries Technology Commercialization Forum and Exhibit formally kicks off on August 21 at the SM Megatrade Hall 2, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City The activity coincides with the 21st Anniversary Celebration of the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR).

The forum and exhibit, which will run from August 21 to 24, will feature emerging technologies and trends in Philippine agriculture through product exhibition and series of seminars on practical and in-demand livelihood sources today from organic agriculture to health and wellness to proper product packaging and labeling.

On August 21, the activity will start with the opening of the booth exhibits and displays to be led by guests of honor, Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap and Senetaor Edgardo J. Angara. They will be joined in by National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) President Emil Q. Javier, BAR Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar, and other DA key officials.

In the afternoon, there will be a cooking demonstration on skinless longganisa, siomai, and hamburger to be conducted by Dr. Joy Contreras of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI). This will be followed by a presentation on various products and delicacies derived from sweet sorghum, a crop that is also a potential source of bioethanol.

On August 22-24, there will be a series of seminars on various technologies supported by BAR under its National Technology Commercialization Program (NTCP). The technologies and research results to be presented are:

• Special product lines from oregano (DA-Quezon Agricultural Experiment Station)
• Prospects of culinary herbs in the Philippines (Benguet State University)
• Good Agricultural Practices and Guidelines for Fruits and Vegetables (Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards)
• Production of wines from indigenous fruits (Mijiah Wines)
• Sweet sorghum as best options for bio-power (Mariano Marcos State University)
• Promotion and market uptrend of coconut sap water postharvest technologies (Philippine Coconut Authority)
• Postharvest technologies to reduce losses and extend shelf-life of fresh fruits and vegetables (University of the Philippines Los Baños)
• Salted egg production and value-adding products (DA-Ilocos Integrated Agricultural Research Center )
• Enhancement of product packaging and labeling (Department of Science and Technology)
• How to apply for organic certification (Organic Certification Center of the Philippines)
• Prospects of using indigenous plants for the spa industry (Spa Association of the Philippines)
• Food plants as source of nutraceutical and cosmeceutical ingredients (UPLB)
• Seaweeds for health and wellness (UP Diliman)
• Beneficial microorganism: providing health the natural (Bio-organic Plus Phils., Inc)
• Integrated fertilizer management program for rice production without chemical fertilization (Sagana 100)
• Marketable products from malunggay (DA-Bicol Integrated Agricultural Research Center)

BAR has been promoting the commercialization of emerging and appropriate technologies related to agriculture and fisheries to boost the growth of this sector. Through the NTCP initiated by BAR and under the leadership of Secretary Arthur C. Yap, farmers and fisherfolk are empowered to sustain quality production, processing, and marketing of high-value and indigenous commodities which are attractive to today's discriminating and health-conscious market.