Danao launches 40th Agro-Fair

CEBU, Philippines - The Danao City government has intensified their campaign against the malnutrition problem in the city's barangay.

As a part of its annual nutrition month celebration last week, the city government opened its 40th Agro-Fair Program centering on the national nutrition month's theme "Kalamidad Paghandaan, Gutom at Malnutrisyon Agapan."

Different barangays in Danao City are participating in the Agro-Fair contest, selling crops that have been grown from their areas.

Residents in Danao City gathered and supported the event, taking advantage of the fresh fruits and vegetables in much lower prices.

The campaign aims to "increase the production of crops" despite the "threat of different calamities," city agriculturist Mario Gorre said.

"Ang ato usab nga target mao nga di mapasagdan ang katawhan kay kung wala'y makaon, manghasi ang malnutrisyon," Gorre added.

The Danao City Public Information Office reported that super tyhoon Yolanda in November last year caused vast destruction in the city's infrastructures and livelihoods.

The El Niño also hit Cebu, causing widespread damage especially in the plantation of the local farmers, thereby reducing harvests and product distribution to the local market.

Danao City Councilor Jose Thaddeus Roble reminded the community to plant crops that are suited for a specific season as a strategy to prevent the deterioration of nutritional condition in times of emergencies and disasters.

Roble also announced that the local government is planning to put up a nursery for each local farmer, called a "demo farm," in order to assist and improve the livelihood of the local settlers.

"Nalipay mi ug nalingaw. Kani usa sa mga paagi aron makatilaw ang mga katawhan ug barato, di lang kay puro mahal nga mga paliton," one of the vendors said.

The winner of the Agro-Fair competition will be declared on July 31.