The Department of Agriculture – Agribusiness Marketing Assistance Division (DA-AMAD) successfully launched two Food Terminals in Ilocos Norte successively on the month of November and December making Region 1’s Food Terminal Projects to a total of 19 as of December 2011.

Intent on achieving its goal in creating an effective and efficient marketing avenue for local farmers in Region 1, AMAD fast-tracked the evaluation and validations of proposed FTP areas in the region hoping to further strengthen the marketing opportunities of Ilocos agri-products produced by local farmers through the project.

Batac, Ilocos Norte – They are considered the unsung heroes of the new millennium, but such recognition was not enough to secure them of their jobs when the unprecedented economic recession took place and thousands of workers, local and abroad, lost their jobs.

Understanding the plight of these displaced workers, the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit I through its Agribusiness Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) conducted a 2-day Agribusiness Opportunity Seminar for OFWs and small farmers & raisers venturing in corn and livestock production.

As its one way of recognizing the valuable contribution of the individuals and groups who succeeded in the area of agricultural development in the region, the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit I paid tribute to the new set of agricultural achievers in the recently concluded 2011 Regional Gawad Saka Awarding Ceremonies held at the ORT Training Center, San Fernando City, La Union.

Leading this year’s awardees are the Bani Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC) of the municipality of Bani in Pangasinan and the Balidbid Rural Improvement Club (RIC) of Salcedo, Ilocos Sur who bagged the most coveted title as the National Gawad Saka Most Outstanding MFARMC and National Gawad Saka Most Outstanding RIC, respectively.

Media is one if not the most potent tool in information dissemination. It may be in print, or broadcast form. In the agribusiness sector, the most effective marketing tool is communication.

Hence, tapping on the efficiency of communication tools in strengthening the marketing opportunities for agriculture commodities, the Department of Agriculture – Agribusiness Marketing Assistance Services (DA-AMAS), in partnership with the Information and Technology Center of Agriculture and Fisheries (ITCAF), is implementing the Agriculture & Fisheries Market Information System (AFMIS) to provide timely, accurate and reliable market information to various stakeholders in the food sector.