At least 44 groups from agrarian reform communities in Eastern Visayas are joining the four-day trade fair showcasing their innovative farm products.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is eyeing PHP2.5 million in sales at the Robinsons Place Tacloban in a fair anchored on the theme “Hanap-Yaman sa Kanayunan,” held on July 5-8, which is also part of the 36th anniversary of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

“This trade fair is dedicated to our hardworking farmers, who are the backbone of the agriculture sector. This highlights the potential of our agrarian reform communities,” DTI 8 (Eastern Visayas) Director Celerina Bato said during the opening.

Bato urged shoppers to patronize the products of agrarian reform beneficiaries assisted by the government in terms of product development in the past years.

Among the products available are butter cookies, toasted bread, bukayo (sweetened coconut strips), banana chips, sweet potato chips, coconut vinegar, coco peat, mats, bags, coco shell-based products, noodles, tablea (a ball of ground-up cacao beans), dried fish, and handicrafts.

Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) 8 Director Robert Anthony Yu thanked the DTI for assisting ARBs in developing and promoting local products.

“This is our simple support in transforming our ARBs into agri-entrepreneurs. Their products are much improved with proper labeling and packaging. They’re not just farmers; they are entrepreneurs. It is now more marketable with the help of DTI, realizing the other mandate of the DAR under CARP to support the farmers and help raise their income,” Yu said.

CARP redistributes private and public agricultural lands to help the beneficiaries survive as small, independent farmers.

The trade fair, the third of its kind, according to Yu, is an avenue to promote processed agricultural products of the ARBs, generate income, and create jobs in poor communities.

Yu explained that the CARP is also regarded as a complete program as it does not end in the distribution of agricultural lands to landless farmers.

It simultaneously provides different support services, including basic rural infrastructure, livelihood and entrepreneurial skills, and farm technology transfer, among others, to make the farmlands more productive. (PNA)