It was another successful run for AgriLink, touted as the biggest agricultural show in the country, of which, the Postharvest Horticulture Training and Research Center (PHTRC) was one of the co-organizers. Held last October 3 to 5 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, the 26th International Agribusiness Exhibition and Seminars or simply AgriLink 2019, gathered thousands of farmers, agribusiness entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders from industry, local government units, non-government organizations, and agricultural universities. The theme of this year’s AgriLink was “Climate-Resilient Agriculture: A Must for Region 8; Focus Crop: Coconut”. The PHTRC sponsored two well attended seminars featuring CAFS experts as part of its participation as a co-organizer. Dr. Perlita A. Nuevo, research assistant professor and former director of the PHTRC, teased the audience through her lecture titled “Are We Eating Healthy and Safe Vegetables?”. Using a value chain approach and results of research studies, she talked about the constraints and opportunities in ensuring quality and safe food along the horticultural produce system. Dr. Nuevo highlighted issues such as the country’s burgeoning population, high degree of malnourishment especially dietary inadequacy at the household level, food safety hazards, and high postharvest losses along the handling chain as a result of inappropriate practices and lack of awareness among the different stakeholders. Knowing where food safety and quality are compromised from the farm to the market, she put forward mitigating measures to minimize the hazards associated with the handling of fresh horticultural produce. Another resource person was Dr. Mario V. Navasero, Scientist II of the National Crop Protection Center, who shared an “Update on Cocolisap: Control of the Rigid Coconut Scale, Aspidiotus rigidus Reyne, Using the Parasitoid, Comperiella calauanica Barrion et al.” As part of its extension program, the PHTRC also showcased in a booth its postharvest research, offered technical assistance, and networked with different sectors of the horticulture industry during the three-day event. The PHTRC, in collaboration with the Foundation for Resource Linkage and Development, Inc., has been an active participant and co-organizer of the yearly AgriLink for over three decades already. (MV Maunahan)
