CEBU, Philippines — Building on the strong momentum from the just-concluded Cebu Food Security Forum in Medellin, two critical events geared toward transforming Cebu’s agricultural landscape is set— the Wagyu & Branded Beef Production Forum and a forthcoming Cebu Soil and Water Forum.
The beef production forum, expected to draw farmers, agripreneurs, and food security advocates, will take place at the 1,000-seat Danao Civic Center from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 17. This is free, but participants were told to bring their own food.
According to former Agriculture secretary Manny Piñol, who now serves as Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro’s food security adviser, the event aims to sustain the enthusiasm generated by Cebuano farmers around wagyu crossbreeding and branded beef production, an opportunity that promises high-value returns and enhanced local food sufficiency.
“This forum is open not only for full-time farmers but also for those who do not have farms but are interested in contributing to Cebu’s Food Security Program,” Piñol said in a post.
Piñol emphasized the urgency of the event, noting that expert Arnel Corpuz will soon leave for Australia, making the timing crucial for local knowledge transfer.
Attendees can expect practical insights on cattle fattening and paddock farming, alongside projected earnings models that showcase beef production’s profitability in Cebu’s climate.
Water forum
Meanwhile, as the province eyes long-term sustainability, the Cebu Food Security Team, an independent sector-led initiative supporting Gov. Pamela Baricuatro’s flagship program, will also soon convene the Cebu Soil and Water Forum. This initiative will involve agriculturists, farmers, and fisherfolk across Cebu’s towns and cities.
The forum precedes a comprehensive rollout of soil sampling, analysis, and hydrological studies covering all agricultural zones.
These data-driven activities, according to Piñol, mark the first phase of the province’s Agricultural Modernization Program.
“Over the years, farmers have complained of low productivity while water supply had been a major issue in Cebu, “Piñol stress while also mentioning that the revival of initiatives begun during his term as Secretary of Agriculture under President Duterte, including the National Color-Coded Agriculture Guide Map, which aids in crop suitability identification.
During the Soil and Water Forum, municipal and city agriculturists will undergo hands-on training on soil and water testing methodologies, with affordable testing kits to be introduced for LGU adoption.
These parallel efforts signal Cebu’s commitment to harnessing innovation and inclusive stakeholder engagement—blending livestock development with smart land and water management to secure the province’s agricultural future. — (FREEMAN)