PASAY CITY, Metro Manila—Agriculture programs, products, technologies, ideas, innovations, and many more were on showcase during AgriLink/FoodLink/AquaLink 2018 which featured the 25th International Agribusiness Exhibition and Seminars.

With the theme "Efficient Value Chain in the Hog Industry: A Must for Continued growth", the event underlined the importance of the farm-to-fork chain that begins from the producers and travels along the entire production and marketing route. Furthermore, each phase in the value chain has to be studied to identify the gaps that lead to inefficiency and substandard quality products.

Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Agribusiness and Marketing Jose Gabriel "Pompee" La Viña graced the opening program. He mentioned the importance of events like AgriLink to showcase the opportunities in agriculture and to attract more people, especially the younger generation.

"Activities such as this enable our people to see the richness and benefits agriculture can provide. With our government's vision of having available and affordable food for every Filipino, empowering our farmers and the agriculture industry will be key in attaining this and improving our economy," La Viña said.

The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) took part in the said activity by giving out free information, education, and communication (IEC) materials on agriculture and fisheries. These included kits and titles on urban gardening, organic agriculture, crop production, lowland and highland vegetable production, pest and diseases, herbs and spices, as well as recipe guides, newsletters, and eco bags.

The ATI also partnered with owners of nine farms that are mostly accredited as its Learning Site (LS), Extension Services Providers, and Farm Tourism Site from Central Luzon and CALABARZON. This is to give them direct market and networking opportunities.

The participating farmers were from K-D Farm in Nueva Ecija; Eco Natural Integrated Farm and Tingtano Integrated Farm in Tarlac; Luntiang Republika in Cavite; Forest Wood Garden in Laguna; Vilela's Farm and MoCa Family Farming RLearning Center in Batangas; EV Sanchez Agri Farm in Rizal; and Beegood Agriventures in Quezon.

One of the LS cooperators present in the event was Emma Tolentino of Eco Natural Integrated Farm. Aside from promoting their products, Tolentino shared her expertise on organic concoction production through a seminar with more than 70 farm enthusiasts.

"We should use organic fertilizers for our plants and animals so that they will grow healthier. We should consider this because we eat what we produce," Tolentino shared. Aside from concoctions, Tolentino mentioned other materials she uses in her farm as organic fertilizers which include mushroom fruiting bags, rice straws and rice hulls, animal manure, ornamental plants, and others.

More than 1,700 individuals visited the ATI booth during the three-day expo, while the featured farms garnered a total sales of around PhP122,000.00. AgriLink/FoodLink/AquaLink 2018 took place last October 4-6, 2018 at the World Trade Center.