ALABEL, Sarangani (September 9, 2022) - After a two-year hiatus brought about by the pandemic, the Agri-Fishery Fair is back at Kasadyaan Festival where various activities for the town’s farmers and fisherfolk were observed.

The Agri-Fishery Fair booth competition was highlighted during the program, where the farmers and fisherfolks from the 13 barangays of Alabel set up booths to showcase and sell their respective local produce and products.

Giselle Gestupa, Municipal Agriculturist officer-in-charge, said the Local Government Unit of Alabel has allocated funds for the event and provided seed money amounting to P10,000 for each barangay.

"Dili lang ni efforts sa atong mga barangay officials, tungod pud ni sa collaboration sa atong mga farmer’s associations and organizations and also the private sector," said Gestupa.

Winners of the Agri-Fishery Fair booth competition take home P50,000 for the first prize, P35,000 for the second prize, P20,000 for the third prize, and a consolation prize of P5,000 for the non-winning entries.

Alongside the opening of the Agri-Fishery fair is the celebration of the town’s farmers and fisherfolk day.

Different competitions were conducted which were enjoyed by some 400 farmers and fisherfolks from the different barangays in Alabel, which included BidaKalabaw, which Mayor Vic Paul Salarda personally suggested to recognize its contribution to farming; cooking competition for women; and coffee cupping and abaca stripping, whose beans and trunks were sourced from the farthest barangay of the town, Datal Anggas.

Gestupa said, "gusto man gud sa atong halangdong Mayor nga mapakita nga adunay mga produkcto sama ani sa pinakalayo nga barangay sa atong lungsod og mapaybalo pa nga daghan pag potential ang maong lugara."

The conduct of the agri-fishery fair was made possible through the initiatives and support of Mayor Salarda, Vice Mayor Lente Salway, Jr., municipal councilors, agriculture and fishery sectors in Alabel, various farming organizations, Department of Agriculture, and the Office of Municipal Agriculturist, that provided vegetable seeds and planting materials.

The celebration of Alabel's 51st Founding Anniversary and the 21st Kasadyaan Festival were also supported by the provincial officials headed by Governor Rogelio "Ruel" D. Pacquiao, Congressman Steve Chiongbian Solon, Vice Governor Elmer De Peralta, and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members. (Joshua John S. Pantonial/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

? Jake T. Narte