SANTA BARBARA, Pangasinan – In support to the strategic direction in agribusiness development, the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center I (ATI-RTC I) in partnership with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG), conducted the Seminar on Product Commercialization for Fish and Meat on March 13, 2019 at the Farmer’s Pavilion, Provincial Agriculture Office, Tebag East, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan. The activity was one of the lined-up activities during the 3rd Umaani Expo and Trade Fair 2019 aimed to enhance women group, cooperatives, farmers and fisher folks to become good entrepreneurs given the right technology, skills and vital information on capital and credit packages.

The resource person of the seminar was Ms. Lourdes S. Rivera, a guru and known lecturer on meat and fish processing of the Technology Resource Center. According to her, food processing has enormous significance in the agriculture sector because it serves as the vital link between the two pillars of economy – industry and agriculture. “An efficient and effective agribusiness industry could make in the nation’s food security and agro-industrial commerce,” she pointed out. Ms. Rivera facilitated a hands-on demo on product commercialization of meat and fish by-products which was actively participated by about 300 participants.

Mr. Nestor P. Batalla, the Assistant Overall Expo Coordinator, also graced the activity. In his message, he was hopeful that the comprehensive seminar would result to new product formulation, and improve processing technique and packaging.

Meanwhile, the DA-Agricultural Credit Policy Council presented their programs with a purpose of linking the participants to their various agri-fishery credit programs.