CAMALIG, Albay – The last leg of the business launching and product exhibit of the S&T-based Sweetpotato Value Chain Development for Food in Tarlac, Albay, Leyte, and Samar Program has been conducted during the 1st Magayon Bicol Agri-Expo held at Albay Farmers’ Bounty (AFB) Village recently.
Considered to be one of the milestones of the program, the activity aimed to introduce newly developed sweetpotato-based products to consumers and potential investors/traders.
Led by Engr. Percival N. De Villa of the Provincial Agricultural Services in Albay, three (3) People’s Organizations (POs) were capacitated and trained through an eight (8) month-long Farmers’ Business School. Products such as chips, noodles, flour, bread, and toasted muffins were showcased during the said activity.
The Agri-Expo aimed to launch the AFB Village as a venue for agricultural production and processing, trainings, and a haven for agricultural trade.
Mr. Angelito T. Carpio, Senior Science Research Specialist, represented the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), on behalf of its Acting Executive Director, Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora.
Carpio thanked Engr. De Villa, and the POs for their dedication to give the sweetpotato industry a boost through sweetpotato product development and commercialization in Albay. He also mentioned that the combined efforts of DOST-PCAARRD and its partners address the gap on food value chain of sweetpotato resulting in continual progress of its local industry.
The activity was also attended by representatives from the Visayas State University, Tarlac Agricultural State University, and Crops Research Division (CRD) staff of DOST-PCAARRD.