Some 600 products from different agri-enterprises in Central Luzon were featured in the the three-day Promotion and Investment in Regional Expositions (ASPIRE).
The event was organized by the Department of Agriculture – Central Luzon, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)on June 24 to 26 at Marquee Mall in Angeles City, Pampanga.
ASPIRE served as a hub that connected agricultural enterprises, institutional buyers, market opportunities, and a wide array of local products from farmers and fisherfolk across Central Luzon.
ASPIRE includes production support, enterprise development and industry support, investment promotion and market promotion and development as its four driving components. Aspire was designed by the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS).
IT aims to develop the capacity of local farmers and fisherfolk, as well as MSMEs to optimize market opportunities, promotion and advocacy of investment opportunities to encourage agribusiness investments, and build strong partnerships and convergence with other government and private sector industry groups.
Government agencies have been pushing for value adding measures on local farm products.
Initiatives on value-added products have covered coconut, copra, banana, mango and even rice to name a few.