PAJ holds forum on high-value crops

The Philippine Agricultural Journalists Inc. (PAJ), in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, is holding a forum on high value crops specifically on fruits and vegetables, on Nov. 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Danarra Hotel, Mother Ignacia Avenue, Quezon City with the theme: "Prutas at Gulay: Oportunidad at hamon."

The forum aims to highlight the importance and potentials of fruits and vegetables in creating jobs and increasing incomes for farmers, as well as save dollars through import-substituting production, and generating foreign exchange from exportable crops and processed food products.

Forum speakers will speak on specific high-value cash crops; many of which have experienced favorable growth during the last quarter and thus bailing out the decline of the two main crops – rice and corn.

Due to the typhoons and the long dryspell, palay harvest dipped by 2.34 percent, while corn output likewise dropped by 2.31 percent, Department of Agriculture records show.

In contrast high-value crops recorded significant growth with banana production increasing by a hefty 9.84 percent, while coffee and mango bounced back with a 4.95 percent and 2.07 percent growth rate, respectively. Other cash crops also fared well.

Other cash, crops and processed products like banana chips, spices and condiments, and many more will also be discussed at the forum. Galvez added that export potentials of these cash crops and other issues and concerns will be tackled at the press briefing.