Recognising the immeasurable contribution of farmers to the nation's development, particularly those beneficiaries of the government's agrarian reform program, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is set to conduct the Agraryo Trade Fair (ATF) from October 15 to 18, 2024, at the DAR Central Office (DARCO) on Elliptical Road in Quezon City.
Fifteen regions from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in the north to the CARAGA Region in the south will bring their products to DARCO to be showcased in colourful booths representing their respective regions.
This event is spearheaded by the Bureau of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development (BARBD) under the Office of the DAR Undersecretary for Support Services.
An opening ceremony will be held on October 15, 2024, where Marou Pahati Sarne, News Manager at Taguig.com, will serve as master of ceremonies.
Both DAR Undersecretary Rowena Niña Taduran, DPA, and BARBD Director Eric Arevalo, DPA, believe that giving agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) the opportunity to showcase their products in Metro Manila, the country's commercial center, will open new business opportunities, especially within larger markets.
Fresh fruits, vegetables, processed foods, hand-made goods, and other native products will be available for purchase at the DAR headquarters throughout the fair.
Prior to the trade fair, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III sampled and enjoyed the products from the farmer beneficiaries of the agrarian reform program at the Products Pavilion on September 12, 2024, at a simultaneous birthday celebration for the two leaders at DARCO. The President particularly enjoyed the lanzones and mangosteen from CARAGA and Region IX, and was impressed with the products from farmers across various regions.
DAR serves as a bridge between ARBs and Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBO) to potential markets under the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development Sustainability Program (ARBDSP).
Farmers who are beneficiaries of the agrarian reform program are assisted in strengthening their farming and selling capabilities to maintain their planting, harvesting, and product creation businesses.
Running parallel to the ATF will be the inaugural Binibining Agraryo 2024, a project from the Office of the Undersecretary for Support Services with support from various DAR offices.
Two days of preliminary contests will be held from October 15 to 16, 2024, at the DARCO Gymnasium where 18 stunning candidates from various DAR offices nationwide will parade in terno and sportswear, and demonstrate their intellect and skills through interviews.
On October 17, 2024, the winner of the Bb. Agraryo 2024 title will be crowned, along with the recipients of the titles Bb. Agraryo-Luzon, Bb. Agraryo-Visayas, and Bb. Agraryo-Mindanao.
This beauty pageant is part of the celebrations for National Rural Women's Day on October 15 and Rural Women's Month in October.
(Photos by DAR-USSO)
