By Keziah G. Huelar
Mr. Joel H. Somosierra, Chair, 8th Organic AgriFair Seminar and Exhibits thanked the participating farmers, exhibitors, and guests for their continued support.
Promoting strong partnerships for massive food production—Central Philippine University and the Department of Agriculture held the 8th DA-CPU Organic AgriFair Seminar and Exhibits 2018 at the CPU Campus on November 26-29, 2018.
With the theme, “Ang Duta Bugay Sang Diyos, Aton Palanggaon: Healthy Soil Produces Healthy Crops for Massive Production,” this year’s AgriFair highlights the importance of sustainable farming practices in promoting a healthy soil.
For the opening program, Centralians and guests were welcomed by a medley of instrumental music using bamboo instruments by the students of Layog National High School.
The students of Layog National High School performing a medley of songs using bamboo instruments.
The opening prayer was led by Rev. Samuel Escobin, Associate Pastor, University Church. It was then followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem.
Dr. Reynaldo Dusaran, CPU Director of Accreditation and Instructions acknowledged the participants, guests, and accreditors.
For the welcome remarks, Mr. Joel H. Somosierra, Chair, 8th Organic AgriFair Seminar and Exhibits, thanked the participating farmers, exhibitors, and guests for their continued support to the AgriFair Seminar and Exhibits. He also emphasized the need of protecting the soil and the environment in these changing times: “[Our theme] places emphasis on the value of the soil as a God-given resource. We are living at a time when land for agriculture is continually decreasing while the need for food production is astronomically changing. This puts greater pressure on making the soil more productive. However we need to continually apply and promote sustainable [agricultural] methods.”
CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, in his welcome remarks, highlighted the importance of public-private partnership in promoting and protecting industry. He also talked about organic farming as a sustainable way of protecting the environment and of producing vigorous and ample food supply: “It is important for us to develop strong partnerships in orders to strengthen farming. There is also the need for us to promote and to practice organic farming not only to protect and make our soil sustainable but to produce healthier produce.”
This year’s AgriFair celebrates the contribution of farmers and exhibitors in promoting organic farming.
For the keynote message, Engr. Remelyn R. Recoter, Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture Region VI, discussed the programs and the endeavors of her office in strengthening and empowering farmers in the region.
After her message, Dr. Robles led the ribbon cutting together with Engr. Recoter; Mr. Manuel O. Olanday, Regional Technical Director for Operation, Department of Agriculture Region VI; and Dr. Peter S. Sobrevega, Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulation.
After which, Mr. Richard Geganzo, Science Research Specialist, Department of Agriculture Region VI, gave a lecture on “Soybean Production and Utlization” while Ms. Gevi Mae Tuburan, Supervising Science Research Specialist talked about “Field Verification, Testing of Carrageenan PGP for Enhanced Growth and Induced Pest and Disease Resistance in Rice and Corn in Region VI.”
CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles together with Engr. Remelyn R. Recoter, Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture Region VI, Dr. Reynaldo Dusaran, CPU Director of Accreditation and Instructions, Mr. Joel H. Somosierra, Chair, 8th Organic AgriFair Seminar and Exhibits, Engr. Amy Castigador, Director, CPU Office of Institutional Advancement and Prof. Levi O. De Los Santos, Director, CPU Community Engagement and Service Learning Center.
The 8th Organic AgriFair Seminar and Exhibits also featured talks on “Public Lecture Promoting Indigenous Weather Forecasting for Community Based Food Security” by Dr. Joyce Wendam, Wendam AgriBusiness Management and Consultancy Services; “Health and Environmental Benefits of Organic Farming” by Ms. Glenda Tupas Dee, Proprietor, Roselle Food Products; “We Are What We Eat: Tanan Nga Pagkaon Gikan sa Duta” by Dr. Hector Peñaranda, faculty of the CPU College of Agriculture, Resources, and Environmental Sciences.