Department of Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap called on the Boholanos to engage in valued added production increase the value of agricultural products. He made the call during the opening Friday of the month-long Sandugo agri-fair at the Bohol Agriculture Promotion Center in Dao district, this city. Citing his gratefulness for the support of the provincial government to agriculture development and the DA's programs, he said food security and self-sufficiency is a concern every Boholano farmer should aim at. By value-added, the DA secretary interpreted this to mean as anything about adding value to finished products. The secretary admitted that the problem of agriculture today is not about production noting that Bohol being is now 113% rice self-sufficient. Central Visayas posted 40% in rice sufficiency. According to Yap , the problem, which his office was trying to confront was on packaging and value adding.

The sad experience, Yap contended, was that a farmer sells his palay for about P13 per kilo and then buys rice for more than P30. “Why a farmer sells mangoes at a lesser price when a dried mango can sell double or even triple its price? This is where the problem lies,” he added. At the same time, the DA secretary revealed that the DA aims to increase in infra spending, like post harvest facilities, farm-to-market roads, among others in order to give a better income and support to the farmers. “The facilities on hand could mean food production, food security and income security,” he added. Summing up, Yap said the DA focus was on Increase production by increasing the processing, increase infrastructure projects, and market linkaging, as a solution to alleviate poverty and provide food on the tables for every Boholano families.

He also addressed the concern of students to take up computer and other courses, adding that it will tie up with TESDA to enroll about 4,000 scholars for agriculture. During same occasion, Sec. Yap was joined by Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera, Provincial Administrator Tomas Abapo, BAPC Project Manager Eugene Cahiles, Provincial Agriculturist Liza Quirog, Bureau of Soil and Water Management Technical Assistant Rogelio Carating, DA 7 Regional Executive Director Ricardo Oblena and DA 7 Regional Technical Director for Operations Angel Enriquez. Provincial and local officials, municipal agriculture officers, heads of agriculture line agencies, PO 's and NGOs, exhibitors were also present. The Bohol Agri-Fair is a month-long display of Boholano agriculture products in line with the celebration of Sandugo.