THE Cebu provincial government’s Agro-Trade Fair yielded additional earnings to farmers and exhibitors.
Annie Felicano, a supplier of handwoven rattan products in San Remigio, earned P28,000 in four days from Dec. 14-17.
Felicano said she always joins the Capitol fair since it gives her opportunity to earn more apart from her daily profits at home.
She sells woven storage baskets and boxes, tissue boxes, flatware caddies, spoon and fork organizers, fruit trays, among others.
It also allows her opportunities to meet new clients, who would ask her contact info for personalized orders.
The San Remigio native products employs only four regular workers with a wage rate of P200 per day.
To lower the cost of production, the weavers were paid based on the number of items they produce.
Wilma Villarena, who is from the municipality of Dumanjug, sold roasted native chicken and reported substantial sales in the Capitol Christmas Bazaar last week.
She said at the fair, she was able to sell 40 roasted chickens daily while in Dumanjug she can only sell the same quantity during the weekends.
Officer-in-Charge Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Roldan Saragena said the trade exhibit allowed the farmers to sell their fresh vegetables and produce directly to the buyers.
The local government units (LGUs) were requested to assist the farmers in transporting their goods to the city.
Each booth allotted to a participating LGU was free of charge.
Saragena added the trade fair also aimed to link locally-made products to potential buyers.