BACOLOD CITY — Agriculture and veterinary personnel of Negros Occidental are participating in the three-day Agrilink 2018, one of the country’s biggest agribusiness exhibition and seminars at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
Products showcased by the province and displayed at the booth of the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Western Visayas include processed foods like “tablea” and banana chips, said Japhet Masculino, head of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), on Thursday during the opening day of the exhibit.
Agrilink is part of the segments Foodlink, an exhibition for food products, and processing and packaging industries, and Aqualink, for products and technologies in the fisheries sector.
Locally-produced cheese is also showcased at the booth of Negros Occidental, through the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“We get to display and promote products of our farmers and we hope to develop more markets so that we can level up production, if necessary,” Masculino said.
Renante Decena, head of the Provincial Veterinary Office, who is attending along with district veterinarians of Negros Occidental, said the agribusiness trade show serves as venue for personnel of the province’s livestock and poultry industry to be updated on the latest technological trends.
Through the exhibitions and seminars, they can learn about the current equipment needed for piggery, poultry, and post-harvest, including those for slaughterhouses, he added.
“This is very timely as the province is pushing for the establishment of its slaughterhouse for cattle and small ruminants. Our participation in the Agrilink would enable us to learn new technologies which we can apply in the province for the benefit of local farmers and raisers,” Decena said.
“The province is upbeat to expand the production and marketing of carcasses to other animals like beef and chevon aside from pork,” he added.
For 2018, Agrilink, organized by the Foundation for Resource Linkage and Development and supported by the DA and its attached agencies, focuses on the theme, “Efficient Value Chain in the Hog Industry: A Must for Continued Growth”. (Erwin Nicavera/PNA)
