TAGAYTAY CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) IV-A held a forum discussing the vital innovations for agribusiness and the emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in agriculture that will benefit farmers and ‘agripreneurs’.

The investment forum focused on marketing the produce that are ready to be harvested by participating farmers. DA said that the program aims to facilitate discussions among key agriculture stakeholders in the region.

“This forum is one way for the agency to help in creating a better a better administration towards with their respective enterprises, said Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) chief Editha Salvosa.

The forum was attended by 17 farmer cooperatives and associations (FCAs) and 6 Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) Program Awardees as a bid to capacitate them from growing, harvesting, and marketing their agricultural produce.

The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, Department of Science and Technology, Agricultural Credit Policy Council, Landbank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines, Department of Trade and Industry-Small Business Corporation, Philippine Crop Insurance Center also presented their banner programs that the attendees may utilize and avail.

In a message, Reden Terrible, who is also an YFC awardee, expressed his appreciation for the agency's initiatives in helping agripreneurs improve their businesses.

The DA IV-A likewise held a discussion with former and current program participants where the latter shared their success stories to inspire co-participants. (JNP/PIA-4A, with reports from DA)