Agri-fisheries tech forum opens Aug 11 at Megamall

MANILA, Philippines - Organic food, organic farming, and health enthusiasts have been invited to the Agriculture and Fisheries Technology Forum (AFTF) that will exhibit food that are naturally Filipino-grown or raised.

Organically grown and raised adlai and native pigs will be featured in food preparation demonstration during the Seventh AFTF hosted by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR).  It will be held on Aug. 11 to 14 at Megatrade Hall 2, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

BAR is popularizing the growing of adlai which aside from being a staple of some Mindanao natives, has anti-diabetes and nutrient-rich properties that could benefit everyone. 

It is rich in fiber, protein, and energy and is an herbal medicine used for its anti-inflammatory, anti-allergen, anti-mutagen, and anti-diabetes benefits.

Health-conscious consumers will be oriented on the farming of a natural sweetener, stevia that doesn’t raise but, in fact, lowers the body’s blood sugar level. Three-to-five leaves of stevia are enough to sweeten one’s coffee.  Importantly too, it may be grown in anybody’s home.

Seedlings of adlai and stevia, along with other healthful crops, will be up for sale.

Free taste of food using adlai, stevia, and native pigs will also be available. Native pigs are organically-grown as farming does not involve use of antiobiotics and other formulas used in commercial hog growing. Other food products—coffee, cocoa, vegetables and fruits—will be on exhibit.

“We have more than 90 exhibitors.  Organic farming and climate change will be new features this year.  It’s DA’s thrust to create awareness on these,” said BAR Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar.

There will be workshop-seminars on business opportunities and processing or production of other healthful foods including multi-medicinal cashew nuts, anti-diabetes yacon products, fish empanada, seaweed spaghetti and leche flan, pickled ampalaya, garlic-enriched noodles buffalo milk, and non-chemical banana.

Technical seminars will be on biofuel feedstock, algae, legumes (peanut, mungbean, soybean), climate change’s impacts on agriculture, farming of rice in flood-prone areas, sea urchin grow-out culture in cages, coconut sap sugar production, coconut by-product galactomannan, and native swine and quail production.  

Free books on a rainfed agriculture guidebook, climate change and agriculture research, and sweet sorghum business will be given away via raffle in between workshops or seminars.  For more information, call Mara Valdeabella, 926-2538.