Agri-based exporters and would-be exporters can avail of government services including linking them to profitable markets for their products and generate income to grow their businesses.
Joyce Bengo, officer in charge chief of the Department of Agriculture-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) Market Development Division, said AMAS assistance to exporters include market linkage and product promotion, raw materials sourcing, market information sharing/exchange, and business development services.
Bengo said under market linkage and product promotion, the DA-AMAS organizes participation and/or conducts various trade fairs and market-related events, both local and abroad.
“This is in collaboration with export promotion agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau and Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, among others, and we also collaborate with the private sector. The exporters are provided with space or booths in this event to showcase their products,” she said during the Usapang Exports webinar organized by the DTI-EMB.
Bengo said the DA also has one-stop agribusiness centers (OSAC) in some regions which serve as physical stores to promote export-ready and those potential export products which are agri-based.
She said of the 15 regions plus National Capital Region (NCR), eight have OSAC – all of which are engaged in retailing of agri-based products. The DA has OSAC in Regions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 11; Caraga; and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
“Aside from this, we are helping these exporters to showcase or promote their products by using our social media platform which is available in Facebook and Instagram,” she added.
Bengo said the DA-AMAS is also facilitating in person or physical business-to-business meetings and virtual business-to-business in collaboration with agriculture attaches and other government agencies such as DTI.
It also hopes to assist exporters in sourcing their raw materials, she said adding “we have this market linkage with our processors and exporters.”
Bengo said AMAS also provides exporters “very helpful information”, such as organizers’ invitation for trade events, advisory on new export regulations, and latest technology and innovations.
It also conducts regular price monitoring which the exporters would need especially when they are buying raw materials from farmers and fisherfolk, and does in house market study to provide exporters some valuable information that would guide them in their businesses, she added.
Bengo said AMAS is likewise assisting would-be exporters in their business registration and product registration.
“We are also helping some exporters who would require that their products are Good Agricultural Practice certified. So aside from finding them suppliers that are GAP certified, we help those farmers that are linked with these exporters to be able to adapt good agricultural practices,” she said.
Moreover, Bengo said it also links farmers and fisherfolk enterprises to government agencies and resource institutions, such as those who would require and need training, and those who require additional capital to expand their businesses. – Press release
