The PhilFIDA Assists Farmer Coops and Agri-preneurs in the Showcase of Local Craftsmanship at the Manila FAME 2018

The PhilFIDA, upon the request of the Department of Agriculture (DA), invited and assisted four (4) farmers associations and cooperatives that are into natural fiber crafts to participate, show case and sell their products during the Manila FAME 2018 on 19-21 October 2018 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

These farmer coops and/or agri-preneurs who were among the more or less 30 participants for the agri sector were very happy to record high sales during the event. These coops included:

1. Guisican Multi-Purpose Cooperative (GMPC) from Labo, Camarines Sur which showcased different local slippers made of abaca.
2. Handicraft of Aklan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (HAMPCO) from Old Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan which brought along handloom-woven products like abaca silk cloth, piña cloth, piña-seda barong, abaca cloth, abaca-piña cloth, piña-seda shawl & abaca polyester.
3. Negros Silk Producers Association from Bago City, Negros Occidental which takes pride in their high quality silk end-products like hand-woven shawls and cloths and beauty cocoon products.
4. United Maligang Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (UMFMPC) from Kiamba, Sarangani Province which not only supplies abaca raw fibers for tinagak and sinamay weavers but also creates its own handicrafts.
   

The participation in the exposition at the Manila FAME 2018 is one of the moves by the DA and PhilFIDA to promote and support Filipino agricultural entrepreneurs in further enhancing the production and renown of their world class products.

Incidentally, the Manila FAME is organized and presented by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) of the Department of Trade and Industry. It is a biannual showcase of local craftsmanship, design and innovation and serves as a sourcing destination for Philippine home, fashion and lifestyle products designed and crafted for the global market. It provides among others the small craft producers with a platform to present their unique, creative, functional and contemporary products.