The 29th annual Agrilink.Foodlink.Aqualink event, marked by its official opening, has yet again underscored the immense transformative power of the Philippine agribusiness sector.
The distinguished ribbon-cutting and opening ceremony was graced by notable figures such as Cynthia Villar, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food; Domingo F. Panganiban, Senior Undersecretary at the Department of Agriculture – Philippines; and Ricardo Tolentino, Agrilink 2023 Chairman.
Adding to the grandeur of the event’s inauguration, the esteemed presence of Ilan Simon Fluss, Ambassador of Israel; Tull Traisorat, Ambassador of Thailand; BN Radebe-Netshitenzhe, Ambassador of South Africa; Shin Gil Kim, KAMICO Chairman; the FRLD board of directors; and co-organizers further highlighted the significance of Agrilink.Foodlink.Aqualink 2023.
Held from October 5 to 7 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City, the event welcomed the public with open arms, offering free admission to both the exhibit and seminars.
This standout event in the agricultural industry served as a platform to showcase the latest advancements and encourage discussions on the future of Philippine agriculture.
In an intimate talk on the sidelines of the event with Mr. Antonio V. Roces, President of the Foundation for Resource Linkage and Development (FRLD), Manila Standard had the privilege of delving into the key developments and insights pivotal to shaping the future of Philippine agriculture.
Promoting Market Connectivity
Mr. Roces emphasized, “In the past, we lacked a direct connection to the market. This year, we added a retail component – unlike before, last year, there was reproduction, but no end product. We have now added a fourth system, starting with inputs, then moving to production requirements, production, post-harvesting, value-added, and finally retail.”
While market awareness stood as a guiding principle, it was only one part of a more comprehensive strategy. The focus shifted towards achieving economic viability through innovation. Mr. Roces firmly underlined the significance of embracing novel seeds and advanced machinery to not just thrive but also significantly boost yields.
“There is no way but to innovate and upgrade,” he stated emphatically, emphasizing the critical role of certified seeds, breed seeds, and hybrid seeds in driving agricultural progress. “At the end of the day,” he concluded, “that’s what they’re trying to do – providing better seeds, offering fertilizers, and advocating farm mechanization.”
The adoption of innovative seeds and machinery became a focal point of Mr. Roces’s discussion, with his firm assertion that there was no alternative but to innovate and upgrade. He went on to underscore the pivotal role of certified seeds, breed seeds, and hybrid seeds in substantially enhancing yields. “At the end of the day,” he added, “that’s precisely the objective – offering better seeds, promoting fertilizers, and advocating for farm mechanization.”
A Greener, Sustainable Tomorrow:
In addressing the critical issue of climate change adaptation, Mr. Roces fervently stressed, “Our sincere desire is for individuals to recognize the inherent richness of our land. It’s a resource that can be harnessed for the cultivation of any crop that holds the promise of profitability.”
Agrilink.Foodlink.Aqualink 2023 was more than just an event; it was a platform for growth, a knowledge-sharing hub, and a testament to the future of Philippine agriculture.
Under the guidance of FRLD, the Philippine agricultural sector is on a transformative journey toward sustainability and economic prosperity. With the principles and innovations shared at this year’s event, the future of Philippine agriculture looks promising, sustainable, and brimming with opportunities.
