Cotabato province is putting agriculture at the heart of its economic development agenda as it opened the Yaman ng Cotabato Travel and Trade Expo on Wednesday, highlighting the agricultural strength of its 17 municipalities and one city.
The week-long expo, one of the highlights of the Kalivungan Festival 2026 and part of the province’s 112th founding anniversary celebration, brings together agricultural products, locally made goods, homegrown enterprises, and tourism destinations at The Basket inside the Provincial Capitol Compound in Amas, Kidapawan City.
Cotabato Governor Emmylou T. Mendoza, Vice Governor Ella Marie Taray, and Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary Geneveive Guevarra led the opening ceremony, underscoring the province’s push to strengthen agriculture while expanding markets for local producers.
Mendoza said strengthening agriculture remains a shared priority among national government agencies and local counterparts, particularly in protecting high-value crops and livestock that contribute significantly to the provincial economy.
“So lahat tayo dito, probinsya ng Cotabato, from the national agencies to our local counterparts, iisa lang ‘yung direksyon natin: to strengthen agriculture,” Mendoza said.
She said the provincial government is working with its Provincial Advisory Council to improve the quality and competitiveness of local products while providing greater protection and support for high-value commodities.
“I have here our Provincial Advisory Council na nakatutok talaga na itaas siguro ‘yung ating produkto, ‘yung ating high-value commodity ay talaga maproteksyonan at masuportahan,” she said.
Mendoza also highlighted the establishment of agricultural quarantine facilities as part of the province’s efforts to safeguard its agricultural sector from threats that could affect production and trade.
“That’s the reason why we established our agricultural quarantine facilities: to secure our high-value crops as well as our livestock,” she said.
The governor said the Yaman ng Cotabato Expo provides an important platform to demonstrate the breadth of the province’s agricultural production while connecting farmers, entrepreneurs, consumers, and potential markets.
Beyond showcasing products, Mendoza said the celebration is also an opportunity to reinforce the province’s unity and protect the gains it has made in development and peace.
The Yaman ng Cotabato Travel and Trade Expo is expected to provide local producers and entrepreneurs with greater exposure while promoting Cotabato as an agricultural and tourism destination.
