Cagayan de Oro to host Mindanao Food Congress in October

Durian fruit. Image: INQUIRER.net stock photo

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc., more known as Oro Chamber, said it will be hosting the Mindanao Food Congress here in October.

Ruben Vegafria, Regional Director of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the food congress aims to gather key players of the food and agriculture industry to discuss issues and agree on policy recommendations that they will push for consideration by the incoming administration of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Those slated to attend the gathering from October 26-30 are farmers, producers, leaders of producer’s cooperatives, businessmen and traders, exhibitors, technology innovators and service providers, academe and research institutions, local and foreign buyers, suppliers, and representatives of government line agencies and local government units.

“At the closing ceremony, we expect the presence of President Marcos. During the four-day event, we will have plenary sessions with topnotch speakers, workshops, product exhibits and business matching,” Vegafria said.

Vegafria added that the food congress seeks to take a deep dive on the gaps in Mindanao’s agriculture supply chain, ways of supporting diverse distribution efforts with efficient logistics, and finding alternative options to improve productivity and competitiveness.

It will also formulate and recommend programs, strategies and policies to help strengthen and “transform agriculture to achieve a sustainable food security in Mindanao,” Vegafria explained.

“We would like to intensify value-adding and explore innovation alternatives to improve products, processes, services and market,” he said.

READ: Kitchens of Mindanao: Durian custard, ‘piyaparan a manok,’ Tausug ‘tiyula’

Oro Chamber president Raymundo Talimio, Jr. said the theme of the congress will revolve around agricultural transformation “and we would like to know where we are now and what are the value chain activities we can promote and what we can do for food security and sustainability in Mindanao.”

“This congress is our way to economic recovery after the pandemic crisis,”  Talimio said.

The last Mindanao Food Congress was held in 2014, also hosted by Oro Chamber.

Business groups from India will partner with Oro Chamber for business matching.

Nishi Kant Singh, First Secretary on Economic and Commerce of the Embassy of India, said they hope to highlight during the food congress innovations in agriculture technology and renewable energy applications.

Side by side with the food congress will be the Oro Best Expo, the longest running and largest trade exposition in Northern Mindanao.

The annual expo provides micro, small and medium-scale enterprises the opportunity and venue to showcase their products and services and ultimately expand their network and linkages.