SOME 10,000 participants and 200 exhibitors from all over Mindanao are expected to join the Davao Agri Trade Expo (Date) 2019 on September 26 to 28 at the SM Convention Center in Davao City.
“This year will be the biggest because sa ngayon, kasama lahat ng Mindanao players. Before kasi konti lang [ang nag-participate] from other provinces sa Mindanao. We will bring here the products as well as the farmers kasi may mga reklamo sila sa mga crops and sa market so we will introduce them to the importers,” Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) Agribusiness Committee chairman Val Turtur said on Monday, August 19.
The event will highlight crops, livestock, hogs, poultry, game fowl, and aquaculture industries. Date 2019 will also have agri-trade exhibition, free-technical seminars, networking night and business matching.
Turtur said unlike last year where the event only highlighted high-value crops, this year they will be including all other crops produced in Mindanao and will provide for the commodities the platform for the suppliers and breeders “to showcase the latest industry innovations, products and services to a captive audience and create business opportunities”.
“This year, ang gagawin natin is lahat ng crops sa Mindanao ay isasama natin (we will include all the crops produced in Mindanao) because we are trying to focus in other crops in Mindanao, we are focusing on products for export,” he said.
“Based on our meetings with China, Korea, and Singapore, fruits and vegetables ang interest nila. Unfortunately, we do not have the volume that is why all producers in Mindanao are invited to join the expo para malaman natin ang volume na ready for expo,” he added.
With the interest of Southeast Asian countries to participate in the event, Turtur urged all the producers in Mindanao to join as well as it will be an opportunity to market their products outside the country.