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The University of Southern Mindanao participated in the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research’s (DA-BAR) 2nd National Agriculture and Fisheries Technology Exhibit (NAFTE) last June 4-6, 2024, at The Atrium, LimKetKai Center, Cagayan de Oro City. This year’s theme was “Makabago at Angkop na Teknolohiya: Tulong sa Patuloy na Pag-unlad ng Magsasaka at Mangingisda para sa Bagong Pilipinas.”
The keynote speaker at the event was Senator Mark A. Villar, Chair of the Senate Committees on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises, as well as Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies. During his speech, Senator Villar expressed hopes that the exhibit would encourage everyone-farmers and fisherfolks in particular – to see how they could make a positive impact on the world. In addition, he underlined the importance of providing more funding for the farm industry and promised to support initiatives for the farming sector in the Senate.
Several dignitaries graced the event, including DA-RFO X Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve E. Velicaria-Guevarra who represented Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., DA Undersecretary for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Zamzamin L. Ampatuan and Cagayan de Oro City’s Official Spokesperson Jann Gilmore Actub who represented the Hon. Mayor Rolando A. Uy.
The three-day event was designed to spotlight ongoing advancements and innovations in the Agriculture and Fisheries (A&F) sector as NAFTE serves as a key platform for technology developers to display their products and services, encouraging collaboration and the exploration of partnership opportunities. The exhibition also showcased a wide variety of A&F technologies and products backed by the Department of Agriculture, aiming to raise awareness of government efforts and initiatives to support and enhance the sector.
The event also featured plenary sessions and discussions with various agricultural practitioners, farmer leaders, and researchers. They introduced significant advances in fisheries and agriculture that are ready for adoption and utilization. The plenary sessions likewise addressed new problems and concerns in agriculture by facilitating the exchange of sophisticated knowledge and information on various programs and technologies.
Forty-six (46) exhibitors from various State Universities and Colleges, Department of Agriculture Regional Field Offices, private institutions, non-government organizations, international agencies, Provincial LGUs, and farmers and fisherfolks participated in the activity. For its part, the University of Southern Mindanao showcased its products under the USM Foods trademark. These included its flagship product Choco Tropico which was made available in six different variants: original chocolate, jackfruit, pineapple, lakatan, latundan ganach, and mango. Choco Tropico is USM’s innovative take on the traditional tableya and supports the university’s role as the Cacao R&D Cluster hub of SOCSKSARGEN. Other notable products displayed at the USM booth were the Chichaworm, a product of one of the university’s student incubatees, the vegetable cracker, 3in1 Turmeric, Ginger Lemon Grass Tea, Insulin Dried Leaves, Tableya, Robusta Coffee, Lanzones Wine, Camote Chips, Moringa Powder, Moringa Dried Leaves, Insulin Dried Leaves, Sinamak, Spice Curry Powder and Turmeric Powder which were all processed at the High Value Crops and Food Processing Center. While the team didn’t bring home any of the awards at stake, Ms. Jonjie Alesna, a CDO-based business owner, expressed interest in purchasing vegetable crackers from USM. Ms. Alesna intends to display the product in their pasalubong center in the city.
The event concluded with the ceremonial turnover of responsibilities to the next host, DA Region 7, with OIC Regional Executive Director Dr. Fabio G. Enriquez accepting on behalf of his region. In his closing speech, DA BAR Assistant Director Joel Lalis emphasized the importance of recognizing farmers and fisherfolks by name and encouraged regions to collaborate and share technologies to foster development. He also challenged the next NAFTE host region to further improve the event for the coming year.
