To prepare for the implementation Agribusiness Support for Promotion and Investment in Regional Expositions (ASPIRE), the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division of the Department of Agriculture-MIMAROPA recently had a consultation workshop with the AMADs of the different regional offices and Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Services (AMAS) of the central office.
ASPIRE aims to build simpler supply chain through creating linkages with the farmers, producers, processors, and consumers.
Through ASPIRE, a convergence will happen with the national agencies, private sectors, and other stakeholders. This is to strengthen the synergy with different key players and open new market opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMES) and especially for small farmers and fisherfolk.
“Through ASPIRE we will engage private sectors as industry partners,” said Ms. Carolyn Castro, former Officer-In-Charge of AMAS, emphasizing that the success of ASPIRE depends on AMADs’ connections and preparation.
The project was launched in 2017 and was piloted in Regions 5, 3, and 12.
The three regions shared their experiences and strategies through a presentation during the activity. They presented how they exhibited the priority commodities of their regions and how they conducted an interview, coaching, mentoring, investment forum, business counseling, trade fair, market matching with the participation of other national agencies.
So far, the pilot regions have seen the implementation successful because of the new market opportunities that was opened for the MSMEs and farmers and fisherfolks. Consumers were also pleased by the products exhibited and the program built awareness about the local products that are champions in their respected regions, according to them.
As such, the DA-AMAD of MIMAROPA is now geared up to conduct ASPIRE in the Region. The target date will be on June 15-19, 2018 coinciding with Palawan’s sought after Baragatan Festival.
AMAD will be partnering with the Regional units of DTI and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries in collaboration with the Local Government of Palawan.
There will be a trade fair, product promotion and selling, industry updates through value chain analysis, a forum on investment and credit support, and market matching at the Provincial Capitol Grounds of Palawan.
The priority commodities that are expected to be featured are onion, garlic, calamansi, saba-banana, peanut, mango, arrowroot, cacao, cashew, honey and virgin coconut oil.
Apart from discussing the ASPIRE, the marketing group also discussed the conduct of TienDA and plan ahead for assessment of the Agricultural Trading Centers with AMAS’ new Director, Mr. Christopher Morales and Assistant Secretary Andrew Villacorta.
