ASPIRE is a partnership project of the DA, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) with the following objectives: (1) promote regional priority commodities and agriculture-and-fishery-based products to showcase strong linkages with farmers and fishers, (2) develop the capacity of local farmers, fishers, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to optimize market opportunities, (3) advocate investment opportunities to encourage agribusiness investments, and (4) build strong partnerships and convergence with other government and private sector industry groups.

“Let us not stop producing more. We should also enhance and promote value additions of various agricultural produce. With this, we could help farmers and fishers like you to become agri-entrepreneurs, assist MSMEs in having linkage network, promote investment opportunities, and increase your profits by participating in trade fairs and exhibits like TienDA,” Carolyn C. Castro, Chief of the Market Development Division of the DA’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS), said in her keynote speech. She further expressed her gratitude to the government agencies, private sector, industries, and associations for working together in promoting agribusiness and fishery.

Likewise, Regional Director Marilou Quinco-Toledo of DTI IV-A mentioned in her message that they support farmers and fishers through their Shared Service Facility wherein they provide them with machineries for processing and packaging agricultural products as these are more competitive having good processing and packaging.

Moreover, Regional Governor Juan Martin G. Barredo of PCCI IV-A emphasized, “Though we cannot do everything at least we ASPIRE to do something. So, we are strategizing and integrating efforts of the agribusiness and marketing value chain because unity amidst diversity improves productivity and efficiency.”

The launching included other activities such as seminar on how to start a business, product packaging and labeling, and market matching. TienDA for the month of September coincided with the said launching.

An agri-trade fair and exhibit was participated in by 31 exhibitors for ASPIRE and 10 farmer groups for TienDA from Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Quezon showcasing various fresh, farm-grown and processed agricultural products.

For more information on ASPIRE, contact AMAD at (02) 928-4237.