Agrilink 2024: The best of Philippine agriculture to the world


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The first day of Agrilink 2024 kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by esteemed guests,including: Congresswoman Camille Villar representing Cynthia Villar, Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food; Atty. Genevieve E. Vellsaria-Guevarra, CESE, Assistant Secretary for Legislative, DLLO, and Consumer Affairs of the Department of Agriculture (DA); Roger Navarro, Undersecretary for Operations of the DA; Shin Gil Kim, Chairman, Korea Agricultural Machinery Cooperative (KAMICO); Marco Apolinario C. Reyes, Chairman of the United Coconut Association of the Philippines and Agrilink 2024 Chairman; and FLRD board directors. The opening was attended by ambassadors and foreign dignitaries from Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Japan, Turkey, Singapore, and the Netherlands. Welcome remarks by Marco Reyes and a keynote speech from Genevieve Vellsaria-Guevarra set the stage for an exciting event showcasing the best in Philippine agriculture.

 

The highly anticipated Agrilink, Foodlink, and Aqualink 2024, held from Oct. 3 to 5, highlighted the best of Philippine agriculture. As the country’s premier international trade exhibition on agriculture, food, aquaculture, and agribusiness, Agrilink aims to bring together farmers, agripreneurs, and industry leaders for knowledge exchange, market expansion, and collaboration. Various stakeholders from the public sector, such as the Department of Agriculture (DA), private enterprises, and diplomatic corps from other countries, joined the opening program on October 3.

Agrilink has been a vital platform in Philippine agriculture for nearly 30 years, connecting private enterprises, government agencies, and global partners. This year’s theme, “The Best of Philippine Agriculture to the World,” emphasized the country’s ambition to showcase its top agricultural exports, focusing on their contributions to both local livelihoods and international trade. The event highlights interconnectedness in the supply chain, value-adding, and marketing efforts to demonstrate how the Philippines meets international standards through sustainable practices.

The event underscored the interconnectedness and significance of efficiency in the supply chain, sustainable agricultural practices, and robustness in value-adding, as demonstrated by the country’s top agricultural exports — coconut, banana, pineapple, abaca, tuna, and seaweed. 

Antonio V. Roces, President of the Foundation for Resource Linkage and Development, the main organizer of Agrilink, said, “Agrilink is more than just an exhibition. It’s a convergence of the country's leading agricultural sectors, highlighting success stories and fostering collaboration between farmers, industry experts, and government officials. By showcasing key crops and diving into discussions around sustainable farming and market expansion, Agrilink underscores our commitment to positioning the Philippines as a top player in global agriculture.”

Marco Reyes, Agrilink 2024 Chairman and Vice Chairman of the United Coconut Association of the Philippines, added, “I am honored to be part of this prestigious event, which serves as a platform where the public and private sectors unite to propel Philippine agriculture to greater heights. Events like Agrilink empower our farmers, fisherfolk, and agripreneurs by connecting them to resources, new markets, and innovative technologies. I look forward to exploring how other agricultural crops fit into the country’s various sectors as well as discussing common challenges in Philippine agriculture. Agrilink 2024 is set to inspire new opportunities and boost our global competitiveness.”

Agrilink 2024 featured live animal and plant displays, food products, and the latest in agricultural technologies. It also hosted seminars led by industry experts, live demonstrations, and forums to discuss key agricultural trends and challenges. The event provided a venue for exhibitors from around the globe to showcase their products, technologies, and innovations, offering visitors a chance to network with potential partners and explore new markets.