The 21st Ubi Festival, a month-long event organized by the Provincial Government of Bohol held at the old Tagbilaran City Airport rakes in 11.6 Million of total sales. The original plan was to hold the event for a week’s time only but Gov. Arthur Yap wants to give the farmers and fisherfolk the time, place and opportunity to earn amidst the pandemic. Indeed, the Governor is right after all, says a report from Primer.
The past Ubi Festivals used to be just a showcase of Bohol’s different varieties of Ubi. It is the time of year, where people flock to one place to buy ubi products directly from the farmers at very affordable prices.
However, this year, was a little bit untypical. It was more than just a showcase of Ubi but a center of agri-fishery products displayed by the farmers and fisherfolk themselves and sold at a lower price than those we buy in the market or mall. Food stalls were also provided and the nightly activities added to its attraction.
According to the Primer report, all these are happening because of the vision of a man who truly knows how to help the farmers, fisherfolks and small and medium enterprises – Gov. Art Yap.
FARMERS’ TRIUMPH
The farmers who participated in the 21st Ubi Festival were able to pocket 8.4 Million in total sales while food concessionaires gained 3.2 Million in sales. Gov. Yap explained, “Ang halin sa atong mga mag-uuma ug mananagat, para kana kanila. Walay maski piso ang mopadulong sa Kagamhanan niana, tungod kay libre man ang ilang pagdisplay sa Airport.”
In his speech during the closing ceremony of Ubi Festival, Gov. Yap said, “Bohol only has two main economic drivers. One is tourism and the other is agriculture. The success of the Ubi Festival is a manifestation that we can sustain the economy and help a lot of people by investing in agriculture. We cannot put our eggs in one basket. We can no longer put all our hope in tourism. We need to invest more in agriculture. The future is still uncertain due to COVID-19. But if we empower our farmers and put more efforts into strengthening our agriculture, the future is certain and clear. Food security will never be a problem in Bohol.”
BRING FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK CLOSER TO CONSUMERS
According to Gov. Yap, “We need to bring the farmer and fisherman closer to the consumers. Our objective is not to keep producing more because an over-supply will only crash the price. We want farmers to produce what they can sell. Farmers need support to reach consumers. Farmers know how to plant, but where they truly need help is in selling their products to the people.”
This has been the strategy of the Yap – Relampagos Administration as Bohol continues to fight against COVID-19. Evidently, it worked. The programs initiated by the Provincial Government has impacted a number of farmers, fisherfolk and peoples’ organization that produce food products.
Not only that, but the consumers were also happy for they can buy food at a cheaper price, the Primer report says. “People need direct access to food producers so they can buy food at affordable prices. In this way, we are creating a win-win situation. Farmers’ income rises even if people will buy from them at lower prices. If we really want to help our farmers and fisherfolks, we must not only help them produce, but we must help them to sell”, Gov. Yap added.
FOOD SECURITY FOR BOHOL
The pandemic has pushed Bohol back to the basics. Many Boholanos ventured into farming and agriculture due to loss of income, job opportunities. “Yet, we managed to survive. We persevered”, the Governor stressed.
The Governor also said, “Bohol has continued to survive because those people who lost jobs and opportunities simply went home to families and returned to farming so they can have something to eat. And this year and next year, we have to continue to focus on agriculture and food security because we cannot assure that we will solve the COVID-19 problem of our Province and our Country this year.”
“But we will never achieve food security unless our farmers are making money. So let this be the target: not only more food production in Bohol but more food produced by profitable farmers. Only when we are food secure can tourism and other business and industries, and more jobs be assured for the Bohol we love”, the Governor added.