Author: Ms Stephanie Crisostomo – NHVCDP

Department of Agriculture (DA) Officials, headed by Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban, High-Value Crops (HVC) exporters and stakeholders, representatives from the academe and LGU, and the National High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), headed by Dir. Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban, Ph.D. take part in the ribbon cutting ceremony of the 2023 HVC Week Exhibit at the DA Central Lobby.

Every April, we celebrate the Filipino Food Month (FFM) pursuant to Proclamation No. 469. FFM aims to appreciate, preserve, and promote our local culinary heritage and gastronomy hence creating demand for Philippine agricultural produce in the local and international food and beverage market.

In observance of the Filipino Food Month, and to mark the anniversary of the implementation of Republic Act No. 7900 otherwise known as the “High-Value Crops Development Act of 1995”, the DA likewise celebrates the HVC Week every April.

This year’s HVC Week theme “Green Revolution Road towards Exportation” underscores one of the policy declarations under the High-Value Crops Development Act of 1995 to develop high-value crops as export crops that will significantly augment the foreign exchange earnings of the country, through an all-out promotion of the production, processing, marketing, and distribution of high-value crops in suitable areas of the country.

The HVC commodities are being showcased at the 2023 HVC Week Exhibit from April 17-20, 2023. On display are:

– Highland vegetables, potatoes, coffee, and strawberry jam from the Cordillera Administrative Region Department of Agriculture-Cordillera;

– Garlic, fresh mango, and mango vinegar from Ilocos Region Department of Agriculture – Ilocos RegionHvcp Ilocos Region;

– Peanuts, mungbean, banana, and ground coffee from Cagayan Valley DA Cagayan Valley;

– Onion, peanuts, okra and sweet potato from Central Luzon Department of Agriculture Central LuzonDARFO III – High Value Crops Development Program;

– Tomato, squash, and ground coffee from CALABARZON Department of Agriculture RFO 4-A;

– Cashew, arrowroot, and vegetables from MIMAROPA DA RFO Mimaropa;

– Fresh pili, processed pili products, and pineapple juice from Bicol Region HVCDP Bicol;

– Ube from Central Visayas DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE VII;

– Banana, pineapple, mango, coffee, pomelo, and papaya from Davao Region Agri Info DavaoHvcdp Davao Region;

– Ground coffee from SOCCSKSARGEN Agri Tayo SoccsksargenHvcdp Da Xii; and

– Durian, pineapple, banana, mango, planting materials, and ornamentals from the Bureau of Plant Industry Bureau of Plant Industry.

Aside from the above, visitors can also buy locally produced and processed HVCs, including fresh and processed durian, fresh fruits and vegetables, mushroom products, and coffee. The BPI likewise handed out free HVC ornamentals and planting materials on April 17, 2023 as part of the celebration.

Photos from the Agriculture and Fisheries Information Division of the DA.