In prelude to the Sandugo revelry, different local government units opened the weeklong agri-fair yesterday, showcasing farm products and inputs at their respective booths at Plaza Rizal across the old Capitol building.

Department of Agriculture Regional Technical Director Joel Elumba considered the agri fair as Bohol’s contribution to regional and national goal of food security.

Elumba cited farmer’s readiness against climate change.

The Sandugo Agri Food Fair will run until Saturday, July 18, and features agribusiness and organic agriculture, crops, fisheries, and livestock days.

In his keynote speech, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Country Director Song Min Hyeon reaffirmed the commitment to assist the agriculture and tourism sectors of Bohol.

He assured Boholanos that KOICA will continue to support Bohol in the “pursuit of progress and prosperity”.

Song cited the Rice Processing Complex in Pilar turned over in November last year to Bohol Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative as one of the significant partnership project between KOICA and the Department of Agriculture.

“This is our noble goal of helping partner communities through uplifting farmers’ living conditions and developing the rural economy,” Song said.

He also said the Bohol tour guide map and information brochure had been completed through the collaboration of the provincial government, Bohol Island State University, and KOICA Senior Volunteer Kim Gwang-nam.

“This project is our contribution to attain the objective of Bohol Tourism Master Plan which includes development of tourism attraction, expansion of supplier industries and strengthening of tourism cluster foundations, tourism creates opportunities for employment and is indeed a major source of income for Bohol province,” Song added.

He said the continuing partnership of KOICA and the provincial government will benefit all Boholanos as KOICA supports the socio-economic development of the province geared at enhancing local ownership of partner beneficiaries and promoting sustainable development.

During the opening program, Vice-Governor Concepcion Lim led provincial officials in conferring the title of “Adopted Son of Bohol” to Kim Kwang Nam. Kim contributed to Bohol’s tourism advancement for the production of a UN international standard Bohol tourism map.

He had also been the acting director-general of the Secretariat of the United Nations-World Tourism Organization STEP Foundation in the past.

Kim committed to continue to serve as Bohol’s ambassador of goodwill to South Korea.