WITH the recently held Davao Agri Trade Expo (Date), organizers are hoping that they were able to empower youth to go into agriculture, a business leader said.

“This is the 20th year of the Davao Trade Expo and because of that we are happy that maybe compared to other similar events, we were able to bring in a lot of young people,” John Carlo Tria, Date program chairman, said during a media forum on Wednesday, October 10, at Habi at Kape, Abreeza Malls, Davao City.

Tria, also Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) vice president, added that the presence of almost 150 young individuals was a “defining character” of the event as it brought in new audience in the event alongside with farmers and other agriculture entrepreneurs.

“There were bloggers, students, and young entrepreneurs who were able to see the whole spectrum of agribusiness. Not just planting and growing, but also the processing of the whole world of farm-to-table enterprising which I think catches the interest of many young entrepreneurs,” Tria said.

Tria cited the Young Farmers and Bloggers Meetup of Date in showcasing success stories for young Dabawenyo people to see huge business opportunities in deciding to invest in agriculture.

“I think this the kind of story we want to tell the world that business grows very well even if you don’t have much capital. And maybe that’s the kind of spirit we want DATE to promote,” Tria said.

The recent Date 2018 earned total sales of P69.6 million with 80 exhibitors, and 8,160 recorded participants. Date is dubbed as the biggest and longest running agricultural trade exposition in Southern Philippines.