Davao Agri-Trade Expo 2024 now open

With the aim of incorporating the latest technologies into the agriculture and agricultural landscape in the Davao Region, the 26th Davao Agri-Trade Expo (date) will kick off on Thursday morning, September 19, 2024, and run until September 21 at the SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City. The expo will feature a dynamic lineup of exhibitors from 70 leading sectors and companies in Mindanao.

Belinda “Belle” L. Torres, president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCCIl), said this year’s agricultural expo plays a significant role in Davao’s agricultural sector as it focuses on sustainable innovation and the implementation of new technologies to increase productivity.

“Agriculture is not only the backbone of our economy, it is the lifeline of our communities, our families and our future. The agricultural landscape is evolving and the world is facing unprecedented challenges in food security, sustainability in climate change and agriculture is not a luxury, it is a necessity,” she said.

Billed as the largest and longest-running agri-trade event in Southern Mindanao, Date 2024 will showcase key trends and opportunities in precision and smart farming, big data analytics, blockchain, artificial intelligence and machine learning, agricultural robotics and automation, and climate-smart farming. These emerging technologies aim to transform the way agribusiness operates, making farming more efficient, sustainable, and resilient in the face of climate change and global challenges.

In addition, the fair aims to generate economic prosperity in the Davao and Mindanao region by promoting sustainable and innovative agricultural techniques. It will also attract key players in the agricultural sector – farmers, agro-entrepreneurs, technology providers, researchers, policymakers and investors – to collaborate and explore cutting-edge solutions.

In addition to its focus on digital transformation, the event will highlight sub-sectors such as halal agriculture, which responds to the growing demand for halal-certified products, and agro-ecotourism, which combines agriculture and tourism to create sustainable livelihoods and showcase the region’s rich agricultural heritage.

The fair currently features state-of-the-art exhibits and a series of technical seminars on the latest agricultural technologies. Industry experts discuss key topics such as vertical farming, hydroponics and income opportunities in agriculture, including shrimp production, tilapia farming, egg production and composting.

Currently, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reports that the agriculture, forestry and fishing (AFF) sector in the Davao region will record the lowest share of the economy at 14.5 percent in 2023.

This represents approximately PHP 147.18 billion of the region’s economic share of PHP 1.02 trillion in 2023. However, the AFF’s economic performance improved by 0.6 percent compared to 2022 data. ANSWER.