The Department of Agriculture-Central Visayas (DA7) joined and celebrated with the Municipality of Garcia Hernandez, Bohol, in celebrating its 171st Founding Anniversary through a two-day Agro-Fair Trade on May 26–27, 2025, showcasing a variety of agricultural products from the 30 barangays in the municipality.
The trade fair reflected the municipality’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, economic growth, and community development, aimed to highlight the region’s agricultural heritage, promote fair trade, and support local farmers and producers by helping them connect directly with consumers.
DA7 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, Dr. Wilbert Castillo, shared a message, saying “ang agro fair usa ka plataporma diin makita nato ang local na cooperation, ang kamahinungdanon sa malungtarong pagpanguma, ug atong paningkamot na magpabilin na luwas ug igo na pagkaon para sa tanan.”
(The trade fair is a platform where we can see local cooperation, the importance of sustainable farming, and our efforts to ensure safe and sufficient food for everyone.)
Dr. Castillo also emphasized that DA7 is always ready to support activities like this to promote sustainable agriculture and increase farmers’ income.
Roman Dabalos, DA7 Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer (APCO-Bohol) shared the various interventions which DA7 provided to the farmers of Garcia Hernandez, to include projects from the programs on rice, corn and the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), with an addition on Livestock, sharing that Garcia Hernandez will be one of the beneficiaries of the Cattle breeder project for C.Y 2025, among others.
The event brought together key stakeholders from DA-attached agencies, including the National Irrigation Administration (NIA 7) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR 7), as well as representatives from the Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPA), the Local Government Unit of Garcia Hernandez led by Engr. Filadelfo Jess III V. Baja-Municipal Mayor, and various exhibitors from different barangays of Garcia Hernandez.