First Agri-Leap fair to be launched in Lipa

The general public, members and non-members of the agricultural sector are invited to visit and participate in the 1st Agri-Leap 2004" fair, an initiative of the Family Farm Schools, through the auspices of the Pampamilyang Paaralang Agrikultura, Inc. (PPAI).

The event is scheduled on Feb. 6-8, 2004 at the Hacienda Sta. Monica grounds, located at Antipolo del Sur, Lipa City, Batangas. Agri-Leap fair will cover a fair-exhibit, and a series of seminar-workshops and a symposium aimed at specialized agricultural activities.

Hoping to attract would-be leisure farmers and urban students and their parents through summer/weekend farming work camps, the seminar workshop modules focus on agri-home crop production, agri-home animal production, biotechnology in agriculture, and funding agricultural projects. The exhibitors would be different stakeholders from the agribusiness arena.

This activity is an initial tie-up with the LPHI-Hacienda Sta. Monica and Fertilizer Industry Association of the Philippines (FIAP) in cooperation with various government and non-government agencies headed by the Department of Agriculture, Lipa City government, Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), the Philippine Agricultural Journalists (PAJ) and others.

Proceeds of the fair will benefit the scholars of the Family Farm School (FFS). The FFS is the first in Asia. It is a unique educational institution that provides a special secondary agricultural and technology course for students belonging to rural families who are engaged in agriculture.

Moreover, this institution has been supporting these households through adult education and active involvement of the association of parents. The Family Farm Schools in the Philippines have been in existence for the past 15 years.

Those interested to attend the different seminar-workshop modules, or participate as exhibitors or sponsors may contact PPAI at 892-8977 to 78, fax at 815-1411 or email [email protected].