Farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) with enterprise development subprojects implemented under the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) took center stage in the first Proponent Group (PG) Forum and Product Promotion held from November 28 to December 1, 2023 in Baguio City.

Led by the DA-PRDP Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO)-CAR, the event kicked off with the opening of the trade fair at the BPI Compound Flagpole area, Guisad, Baguio City. The trade fair, which ran for four days, featured various fresh and processed products produced by PGs from the Cordillera provinces.

The event was intended to improve the PGs’ accountability and to further their knowledge and skills in achieving higher production and better income. It also aims to foster collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing geared towards a sustainable and prosperous agriculture.

Around 80 farmer-members from 20 FCAs/PGs in CAR participated in the four-day event. Representatives from the PRDP Project Support Office (PSO) North Luzon also joined in the activity.

Aside from the trade fair, the event featured plenary sessions on programs and services offered by the Land Bank of the Philippines, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Agricultural Credit Policy Council, and Food and Drug Administration. There were also special topics on sales promotion practices; customer relations management and customer satisfaction; and value chain analysis. The plenary sessions were held at Gestdan Centrum, Baguio City, simultaneously with the trade fair.

DA-PRDP Project Support Office (PSO) I-REAP Component Head Ms. Jamesiah Badua-Lompero thanked all the PG members who participated in the event and expressed that she looks forward for the continuous partnership and improved relations among and within the PGs.

The participants also expressed their gratitude to the RPCO-CAR for holding such event where they can enrich their knowledge to enhance their enterprise operations, share and learn from each other’s’ experiences, and get together with other PGs.// Elvy Estacio, RPCO-CAR InfoACE