Friday, February 01, 2008 Chamber to improve quality of products By Joy Romares-Sevilla
DAVAO City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) President Simeon Marfori said the chamber is working with the agriculture sector in the city to further promote farm practices that would improve the quality of agricultural products.
"We plan to initiate good agricultural practices (GAP) trainings for the farmers. Two years ago, we conducted GAP trainings and we can do it this time," Marfori said in an interview Wednesday.
Marfori said the chamber proposes to have processing facilities and common service facilities that would be accessible to small farmers.
"We can do this by encouraging members of the agriculture sector to look for funding sources abroad or partner with other agencies," Marfori said.
"Another thing that the agriculture sector, particularly the food industry needs is the development of cold chain pero dapat affordable din for the small farmers," he added.
Marfori further said the food industry should also adopt good manufacturing practice (GMP) for food safety.
"It should be a practice na kapag naghahanda ng pagkain, dapat involved diyan ang hand washing and other sanitary practices. Karamihan kasi hindi na napapansin ang mga ganyang practices. We also believe that the DOH is doing something about it," Marfori said.
Agriculture sector is among the top priorities of the chamber this year.
Marfori said the chamber will give assistance and support to the sector being the largest contributor to the growth of the economy.
