THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Occidental said the province has a lot of agricultural product potentials for both local and international markets, but still need improvement in terms of packaging.
Romel Amihan, senior trade and industry development specialist, who attended the meeting and presentation on “Processing and Packaging of Agriculture Products” at the Negros First Negosyo Center in Bacolod City Tuesday, said packaging is the products’ “silent marketer.”
Amihan said there is currently a huge need to develop the packaging and labeling practices especially of locally produced agricultural products to acquire better position in the market.
“Given that the market is very competitive, packaging is imperative,” he said, stressing that properly packaged and labeled products have competitive advantage over other commodities.
The Provincial Government, through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), has been pushing for value-adding among local producers to uplift the livelihood of Negrense farmers.
In terms of agri-based products, Negros Occidental is mainly banking on high-value crops like vegetables and fruits, particularly those organically-produced.
“Packaging would speak in behalf of the producer,” Amihan said, adding that the DTI itself will continue to provide services to help local enterprises improve their products.
Meanwhile, during the activity, George Lam and Joshua Won Jung-Hyun of Myung Sung International presented new technologies and innovative practices on product processing and packaging that will increase shelf life and product yields.
The activity is aimed at upgrading the packaging competitiveness of agriculture products of Negros Occidental in the national and global markets.
Also present were Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and representatives of the OPA, Department of Science and Technology, Technology and Livelihood Development Center, Association of Negros Produces, and other stakeholders.