Local Farmers from Albay Achieve P350K Sales at Trade Fair

LEGAZPI CITY—Agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) in Albay generated total sales of Php 350,000 during the four-day Saod AlbayAni Trade Fair 2024 held at Ayala Malls Legazpi City.

The event provided a platform for nine ARBOs, supported by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), to showcase a diverse range of locally-produced goods, from pili nut candies and peanut butter to homemade cookies, muscovado sugar, longganisa, and assorted fruits and vegetables.

The participating ARBOs, including Tiwi Food Processors Association, Inc. (TFPASSI), Salvacion Farm Workers and Weavers Association (SFWWA), Association of Women and Men of Gabawan (AWMG), and Sa Agrarian Reform Iriba Gabos sa Kauswagan (SARIGAN) MPC, among others, represent the rich agricultural heritage of Albay. Through these cooperatives, local farmers can to bring their products to a wider audience, fostering a greater appreciation for their hard work and ingenuity.

The trade fair, organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Albay Provincial Office, featured more than 16 exhibitors from across the province. In addition to the ARBOs, the event highlighted a range of other Albayano craftsmanship, with products made from pili, coconut, abaca, and other locally sourced materials. The fair has become a key venue for supporting local farmers and artisans, promoting sustainable economic development in the region.

In her statement, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Maria Eugenia M. Alteza emphasized the importance of such initiatives in bolstering the economic stability of ARBOs in Albay. “We promise to leverage sustainability and ensure that Albayano products reach their full potential, and are recognized across global markets,” she said.

Apart from boosting sales, the trade fair also opened doors for networking opportunities among the farmers and potential buyers. Jobel Parado-Abo, a member of SAMPI, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the event. “It’s inspiring to see the support for us farmers. Because of this, we are motivated to further improve our farming practices,' she shared, highlighting how events like these encourage farmers to continue