The Department of Agriculture-Caraga through the Research Division is staging its 6th Technology Forum and Product Exhibition in Butuan City from August 8-9, 2019.

Carrying the theme “Technologies from Agri-Fisheries as Catalyst for Sustainability and Competitiveness”, the 2-day event highlights the value-adding technology products developed by the DA’s Research Division. Together with its three Research Experiment Stations (RES) in Tagbina, Trento, and Talacogon, 35 products for commercialization are showcased to farmers and other agri-stakeholders for adoption in their respective farming and business endeavors.

Newly installed Acting Secretary of Agriculture William D. Dar emphasized in his “new thinking” approach the modernization of agriculture and that to modernize means Agripreneurship should also form part in the process as farming and fisheries should be treated as business undertakings.

DA-Caraga has been gearing towards this direction as its research arm takes the lead in technology generation and commercialization.   

“All effort should have returns. Do value-adding.” DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo said as he encouraged the farmers present during the forum. He further urged the farmers to apply the new agricultural technologies introduced in the annual forum for them to innovate, and come with ideas that will maximize their profit and grow their business.

This year’s forum showcased technology products from locally grown crops such as the nutritious Soya Milk, Tofu, Taho, and the relaxing Black Soy Beverage – all made from Soybean. The ordinary Marawi Camote that is now transformed into a nutritious version of French fries. Coconut value-added products such as juice in a bottle and skincare products out from the ordinary farm its virgin coconut oil and crops like malunggay, ginger, lemon, dragon fruit, and adlai.

Attended by around 200 farmers and LGU counterparts per day, the technology forum brought together farmers, agripreneurs, agricultural extension workers, academes, agricultural institutions, and local government units to learn from each other with new ideas and achieve a more competitive, sustainable and resilient agriculture.

Aside from product exhibition, various topics were also discussed such as Coconut Value-Adding Technologies, Success Stories in Cacao Farming, Tilapia Production, Economic Importance of Soybean, and Sorghum Production. (Emmylou T. Presilda /DA-Caraga)