A much cheaper vegetables and fruits were directly sold by farmers, who put up exhibits during the opening of the five-day Fruits and Vegetables Trade Fair on May 13, 2024, Monday, in line with the Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month at the Davao City Food Terminal Complex in Toril.
The exhibitors included farmers’ associations, gardeners associations, consumer cooperatives, and others.
Vegetables from the exhibitors are being sold as low as Php 25 pesos per kilogram. The exhibits include such products as vegetables, greens, eggs, dried fish, preserved fruits, preserved products, ornamental plants, tableya, and fruit jams.
Davao City Food Terminal Manager Josephine Martin told reporters that around 15 exhibitors have opened in the morning of the first day but more organizations are expected to showcase their products during the five-day Fruits and Vegetables Fair.
Aguila Farmers Association (AFA) President, Maricel Legaspina told Madayaw that on behalf of their association, they are grateful to the City Agriculturist Office (CAgO) for having such a program for farmers. The products displayed by AFA came from Marilog District.
“Dako kayo siya’g tabang sa amoa kay gi-hatod mi sa transpo sa City Agriculurist Office, among produkto diri presko gyud gikan sa amoa nga area. Ang among kalipay lang gyud is maabot diri amoa gyud na presyohan na maabot pud sa uban nga makamasa pud ang presyo (This is a great help for us because we were transported here by the City Agriculturist Office, our products are fresh from our area. We are happy enough to be here with our very own price which is also affordable for buyers),” Legaspina said.
She added that those who seek to buy farm products at DFTC can get them at low prices.
“Talagsaon gyud ni siya nga kami gyud mismo mubaligya sa among gulay (It is a rare thing that we are the ones selling our vegetables),” Legaspina said.
Meanwhile, aside from allowing farmers to display their products, a series of training is also set for various stakeholders on each day of the fair.
On Monday afternoon, a Durian Coded Farm Stakeholders meeting was held.
The Packaging and Labeling of Fruits and Vegetables Seminar will be conducted on May 14; the Agribusiness Forum will be held on May 15; the Food Safety Seminar will be held by DOST on May 16; and the Fruit and Vegetable Processing Demonstration will be held on May 17.
