TEN food processors in San Enrique, Negros Occidental have gained boost through the product development training conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Wednesday, June 14.
The training conducted at the town hall, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Negros Occidental, is aimed at equipping food processors with skills to develop their products mainly through having good packaging and labeling.
Engiemar Tupas, senior trade and industry development specialist of DTI-Negros Occidental, said participating food processors were identified as priority-recipients of the training due to their market potentials.
“These entrepreneurs already have quality products, they just need little push to acquire better position in the market,” Tupas said, adding that among their products are empanada, panara, and buko pie.
After the training, the two collaborating-agencies will then assist food processors in coming up with packaging and labels.
The DTI will fund the packaging and labeling materials while the DOST will provide the concept and design. Each processor will choose one specific product that can avail of the packaging and labeling assistance.
Tupas said they continue to urge local producers to always consider having good packaging and labeling, stressing that “by improving the appearance of the products, they can ensure competitiveness which will result to generation of more sales.”
The initiative is also in support of the DTI’s bottom-up budgeting program with the local government, mainly for the establishment of Otop (one town, one product) Store.
“While the construction of the store is ongoing, we need to also prepare our producers and their products,” Tupas said, adding that the DTI is also working on linking them to bigger enterprises in the province.
Moreover, the DTI will also assist seven of the 10 participating food processors who have no business name registrations.
