May 14, 2010, 5:59pm
Good agricultural practices and small ruminants will be showcased during the country’s largest agricultural trade show, Agrilink 2010, which will be held at the World Trade Center Metro Manila on October 7 to 9.

The emphasis on good agricultural practices (GAPs) aims to help agricultural producers to improve and increase production in a sustainable way so that they can be more competitive in the world market.

Examples of GAPs related to animal production include the prevention of chemical and medical residues from entering the food chain, the minimum or non-use of antibiotics or hormones, and application of traceability processes on the whole production chain, among others.

Antonio V. Roces, president of Foundation for Resource Linkage and Development (FRLD), which is the organizer of Agrilink, said that the adoption and support for GAPs by the various agricultural sectors in the Philippines is accelerating. He adds that there is an emerging reevaluation of agricultural development. It is less about exploiting our resources to gain profit. It is now more about developing sustainable, efficient and science-based practices for growing crops, livestock and aquaproducts.

Roces continues: “We believe that for agribusiness to prosper, it must enhance access to quality-driven markets where good agricultural practices are an essential concern, and where we can be competitive while enhancing food sufficiency. Our goal is to encourage all crop sectors to implement sustainable production systems that are profitable while being socially viable, and taking into account food safety, animal health and environment.

The good agricultural practices will be showcased through seminars, live animal and plant exhibits as well as other special interactive activities. Agrilink 2010 will also tap niche and value-added markets as conduits towards sustainable production and overall growth.

The other focus of Agrilink 2010 will be on small ruminants – goats and sheep. The small ruminants sector is largely untapped despite its economic importance and promising potential for the agriculture industry. What’s good about sheep and goat is that even small scale farmers can raise them because they don't require as much capital as other livestock like cattle. And they are also profitable to raise. The market is also there.

Of course, goat and sheep production has gone a long way in the last few years as improved breeds are now available and new production technologies have been developed by local researchers and private entrepreneurs.

These technologies will be showcased at the Agrilink, Foodlink and Aqualink.

Agrilink 2010 will also be featuring products such as agricultural chemicals, animal health and nutrition products, animal housing and breeding, equipment and machinery facilities on cooling and storage, facilities on postharvest, feed ingredients, feed milling, greenhouse and nursery, horticulture inputs, meat products, organic farming and hydroponics, publications, research and consultancy services, seeds and planting materials, irrigation and watering systems, transport and logistics, and waste management facilities. The event will also expand access to international companies, products and technologies.

The three-day event is also supported by: Agri-Aqua Network International (AANI), Bureau of Animal Industry, Cooperative Development Authority, Food Entrepreneurs and Exporters of the Philippines, Livestock Development Council, National Federation of Hog Farmers, National Onion Growers Marketing Association, Organic Producers Trade Association, Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association, Philippine Association of Hog Raisers, Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food, Philippine Coconut Authority, Philippine Crop Insurance Corp., Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Philippine Sugar Research Institute Foundation, Postharvest Horticulture Training and Research Center, Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines, Technology Resource Center, International Livestock and Dairy Expo, French Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Department of Agriculture.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/257338/agrilink-2010-focus-good-agri-practices-small-ruminants