Monday, March 19, 2007 Arroyo slated to attend Minda agri food event
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has reportedly confirmed to be the keynote speaker of the Mindanao Agri and Food Convention (Mafcon 2007) scheduled April 23-25, 2007, at the Grand Caprice Restaurant & Convention Center in Cagayan de Oro City.
This was contained in an official communication to Convention chairperson Edwin B. Andot, president of the Chamber of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industries of Northern Mindanao (Caffinormin) by Undersecretary Marilou D. Frostrom, deputy director general for Presidential engagements.
President Arroyo is scheduled to speak before the Mindanao agribusiness community in the morning of April 24.
MafCon 2007 is supported by the Department of Agriculture and USAID Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program. Univet is a MafCon 2007 Major Sponsor, featuring its Vetracin Gold and Early Wean products. AA Bio Tekh is a MafCon 2007 Minor Sponsor.
Andot said following the President's speech, five donor-assisted agribusiness support programs will make their presentations.
Leading the foreign donor community is Mission Director Jon Lindborg of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) who is set to elaborate on their initiatives for Mindanao Agribusiness Competitiveness.
Lindborg will be joined by US Agricultural Attaché Jude Akhidenor of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) who deliver updates on US agricultural trade with the Philippines.
First Secretary Angus Barnes of the Australian Embassy will present support programs of the Australian Agency for International Development for Mindanao agribusiness.
Barnes will be complemented by Mr. Sam Chittick of the Philippine-Australia Local Sustainability Program (PALS) who will lay out potential solutions to challenges faced by small agribusiness in Mindanao.
Rounding the first plenary of MafCon 2007 on Foreign Donor Assistance in support of Agribusiness Growth In Mindanao will be a presentation by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) by Assistant FAO Representative Arcadio Cruz.
On April 25, Philippine Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap will tackle effective marketing strategies for Mindanao agribusiness.
Former Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Montemayor meanwhile is set to push for the promotion and use of information and communication technology (ICT) for agricultural development.
Deputy Director General Milagros Dawa-Hernandez of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) will discuss with convention participants ways and means to professional manpower in the agricultural sector. Director Rudy Cana of the Board of Investments will point out the ways for the farming enterprise sector to maximize the use of government incentives.
LGU participants to the Mafcon 2007 will have the chance to interact with Datu Ibrahim Paglas III, President and CEO of the Paglas Corporation in pursuing effective partnerships between LGUs and the private sector in promoting local agricultural development.
In a manner of completing the supply chain, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano will be on hand to discuss food as a vital ingredient for Mindanao tourism.
Event partners include STI for technical manpower and AV equipment, DCTECH Microservices for broadband internet connection, PARASAT for cable TV publicity and Sun.Star as media partner.
Interested parties wishing to participate in Mafcon 2007 are participants, exhibitors or sponsors are advised to immediately contact the Event Manager and Secretariat, Southland Events (look for Managing Director Ann Medes) at the 2F Metz Arcade, Capt. Vicente Roa Ext. cor Jose Agudo St., Cagayan de Oro City, +88.8564499.
