PANGLAO, Bohol – The 7th Farm Tourism 2024 held at the posh Bellevue Resort, Panglao town on Feb. 26-28 tackled discussions on the cultivation of vegetables, fruits, green investments, artisanal fisheries for sustainable growth by various resource persons.
“This year’s conference will focus on sustainable growth through the cultivation of fruit and vegetable farms, aquaculture and artisanal fisheries, and green investments in farm tourism, former tourism chief and now International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST) President Mina Gador said.
This year’s theme, “Farm Tourism: Consciousness for Healthy Living and New Experiences,” aims to showcase and share best practices and attempts to providing social and economic benefits to communities. “It’s not the size of the farm but the experience may give” to the tourists, she said.
Senator Mark Villar, who was the guest speaker during the second day of the confab, said that the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Act (R.A. 11960), institutionalizing the OTOP program, is aimed at helping the micro, small, medium enterprises (MSMEs). The said law is said to have been signed by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on August 25, 2023.
Ms. Angelina Mead King discussed how innovations improve farmer’s income thru fruits and vegetables farming during the first day. This is followed by presentation of the hospitality industry embracing the sustainable farm to table concept by Gregory Duffell of New Zealand, founder/CEO Vulcain, Inc.
Ms. Vicky Wallace, owner/operator of Bohol Bee Farm gave the processing of fruits and vegetables – key to food security.
Green investments was tackled by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) former Assistant secretary and now Bohol provincial administrator Aster Caberte. She defines the green investment as the allocation of financial resources to projects or companies that focus on sustainable practices and environment -friendly technologies and the conservation of natural environment on the second day of the confab.
Ms. Ida T. Capacio, Seaweed focal person of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) gave an update and the Enhanced Philippine Seaweed Development Program, while Ms. Cherry Endriga, BFAR focal person discussed the situation over the salt production and its impacts to the economy. Both discussions suggested measures to improve the lot of the industries.
Mr. Daniel Cabrera of the Santeh Feeds Corporation gave a lecture on the Pompano, the upcoming star of aquaculture and Mr. Oliver Agoncillo, director biodiversity ASEN Center for Biodiversity, tackled the green investment in agriculture and tourism in ASEAN.
All these discussions during the conference are expected to help develop potential export-quality farm produce for the global market.
Participants were expected to visit Bohol Bee Farm in Dauis, Lasang Cacao Farm in Maribojoc, Loboc Cacao Farm, Asin Tibuok makers in Alburquerque, Kinaiyahan Forest Park in Bilar, Green Thumb Farm in Corella, South Farm in Panglao, Manay’s Farm in San Miguel, Ubay Dairy Farm, and Jagna Recycling Facility and Eco Farm for immersion.
During the first day, provincial officials led by Gov. Aristotle Aumentado and the three congressmen along with DA regional director Angel Enriquez, Undersecretary Mae Elaine Bathan, Sergio Ortiz Luis, Jr, president, Philippine Exporters Confederation opened the conference at the said venue.
The confab is hosted by the Provincial Government of Bohol and supported by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), the conference.
The conference hosted a DTI-led exhibit of agricultural produce and by-products under OTOP program inside the resort’s pavilion. Bohol Bee Farm is one of them that displays and sells its famous organic honey among its exhibits. (Ric V. Obedencio)
