Organizers of the second Iloilo Agri-Aqua Investment Forum and Trade Show slated November 7-9, 2018 eye P100 million investments. (Photo by Cindy Ferrer)
ILOILO CITY -- The second Iloilo Agri-Aqua Investment Forum and Trade Show this November 7-9, which is organized by the Panay Organic Producers Association (POPA) in partnership with the provincial government of Iloilo, is eyeing to entice some PHP100 million investments.
In a press conference Wednesday, Buen Mondejar, POPA president, said the first forum in 2016 generated around PHP50 million investments and they are expecting that it will be doubled.
Themed “Accelerating Investments in Agriculture for Global Markets”, the forum is the biggest agriculture exhibition to showcase investible areas in agriculture and aquaculture in the province.
It will be held at the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) in Mandurriao district here and Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol is expected to attend.
Initially, Mondejar said they invited more than 2,000 local and foreign investors.
Agriculture experts are expected to talk on investment opportunities of various commodities which have big market potential, locally and internationally. Topics on agri-tourism as a strategy for countryside development and value-adding technologies will also be tackled.
Among the commodities to be highlighted are coffee, cacao, coconut, high-value fruits and vegetables, swine and aquaculture.
Since the theme focuses on accelerating agriculture investments for global markets, Larry Nacionales, executive director of POPA, is positive that there are a lot of available commodities in the country, particularly in Iloilo that could compete globally.
“In coconut, we used to be number one worldwide but we have to go on in such a way to maintain it. Our aquaculture products, like milkfish, are also reaching the Middle East,” he said,
“There are so many commodities. Given the proper and right info, there will be a lot who will invest in this business,” he added.
Nacionales also said they are advocating for the government to invest in research and development, particularly product development or packaging.
“I think we have commodities that are capable to compete if given the right science,” he said.
On the third day of the forum, participants will be given the opportunity to visit some farm-tourism sites in the province such as Damires Hills in Janiuay town, Ephrathah farms in Badiangan town, Orchard Valley in Pavia town and Midway Farm in Passi City.
The Department of Agriculture and the Department of Tourism in Western Visayas are supporting the forum. (PNA)
