The Sugar Industry Foundation, Inc. (SIFI), in collaboration with Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU) Talisay Campus, successfully launched this year’s Farm-to-Table Livelihood Expo.
This initiative is led by the SIFI Livelihood Pillar to assist in income-generation and to provide a bigger market for the partner Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs). A total of eleven SIFI-assisted ARBOs across Negros Island Region joined the said trade fair:
- Casa Agrarian Reform Cooperative
- Balogo Farmers Association
- Villa Carolina Agrarian Reform Cooperative
- Cusi Farmworkers and Farmers Association
- Minuro Agrarian Reform Beneficiary ARC
- Esperanza Communal Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Association
- Guin-olayan Agrarian Reform Cooperative
- San Juan Torena Agrarian Reform Cooperative
- Asuncion Agrarian Reform Cooperative
- United Agrarian Reform Cooperative
- Defuego Farmworkers Association
A bounty of farm produce and processed products were displayed for sale at the Global Learning Café of CHMSU Talisay Campus. The ARBOs prepared jams, peanut butter, sweets, bread & pastries, bottled goods and preserved products, alongside a variety of farm fresh fruits and vegetables that were brought to the table.
In photo: Andrew Eusebio Tan, CHMSU Vice-President for Research & Extension, giving his remarks prior to the opening of the expo.
“It is a big help for us since the previous months, our livelihood source (bakery) from SIFI was not having enough income and profit due to El Niño. Events like these create a bigger opportunity for us to market our goods and generate income,” Jocelyn Gallardo, Chairman of the Cusi Farmers and Farmworkers Association (CUFFA), expressed in Hiligaynon.
In photo: Edith Y. Villanueva, SIFI President & COO, lining up to purchase the ARBO’s farm-fresh produce.
After selling out in just three hours, a total of P23,000 was generated from the 12 ARBOs in the trade fair. The supposed one-day event turned into half a day, due to the early consumption of all goods. With this, the SIFI Livelihood Pillar will be organizing a three-day Farm-to-Table Livelihood Expo in December. More livelihood-assisted ARBOs will be invited to showcase the products they wish to offer.
