L to R. Deputy Director of the Department for Agricultural Markets of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Mr. Dariusz Goszczynski, Ambassador Patricia Ann V. Paez and Undersecretary of State of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Mr. Rafal Romanowski

L to R: President of the All Poland Trade Union of Farmers and Farmers Organizations Mr. Slawomir Izbedski (extreme left); Member of Parliament Dr. Jaroslaw Sacchajko (2nd from the left); and Undersecretary of State of the Ministry of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Mr. Rafal Romanowski

L to R: Ms. Edith Credo, Ms. Evelyn Vega and Amb. Paez were invited to have a taste of Polish kielbasa produced by Rzeznik

Amb. Paez in a meeting with the president of Pronar Mr. Sergiusz Martyniuk (center)

L to R: Amb. Paez, Deputy Director Goszsynzki, President of Pronar Mr. Sergiusz Martyniuk  (4th from left) and Mr. Izbedski (extreme right)

L to R: Ms. Vega, staff of the festival, Amb. Paez and Ms. Credo; behind are agricultural machineries from Pronar and Ursus

Philippine ambassador to Poland Ms. Patricia Ann V. Paez said that the Philippines should partner with Poland to modernize the country’s agricultural production, especially  since Poland has fully mechanized its agricultural sector.

                A wide array of agricultural machineries were on display during the Polish Food Festiwal (Polskiej Ztwnosci Z Gruntu Polska) which Amb. Paez, Principal Assistant for Economic Diplomacy Attache Ms. Evelyn Vega and Attache Ms. Edith Credo attended last 06 August. The event was organized by Mr. Slawomir Izbedski who is the president of the All Poland Trade Union of Farmers and Farmer Organizations.

                During the Polish Food Festival, Amb. Paez, Principal Assistant for Economic Diplomacy Attache Ms. Evelyn Vega and Attache Edith Credo was able to meet officials of Poland’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, namely, Undersecretary of State Mr. Rafal Romanowsk and Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Markets Mr. Dariusz Goszczynski, as well as with Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee Dr. Jaroslaw Sachajko.

            MP Dr. Sachajko is a strong advocate of the revival and promotion of Polish brand names which were internationally famous before but which disappeared during the communist era. An example is Ursus which is a Polish-owned agricultural machinery-producing company that even used to export to Poland’s neighboring countries. Ursus embodies over 120 years of development of the mechanization of Polish agriculture. It is the oldest Polish trademark of vehicles, machines, and devices for agriculture and its machines have been used by successive generations of Poles. Today, its products are marked with the EU’s seal of quality performance, yet their prices are comparatively cheaper.

They also met with the president of Pronar Mr. Sergiusz Martyniuk. Pronar is the undisputed leader in the production and sales of machineries and equipment for agriculture, municipal services. and transportation with nearly 50% market share in the Polish market. It is also one of the world’s major players among the manufacturers of wheels for agricultural and municipal machineries, pneumatic and hydraulic systems, axles for trailers, as well as steel profiles and plastic components. Pronar has established its dealers‘ network in all EU countries, Scandinavia, and Russia. Its products are exported to over 60 countries in Africa, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific such as New Zealand and Australia.  

                The festival was launched to promote Polish agricultural machineries, agricultural and livestock products, and domestically-processed food products and food ingredients from various regions, as well as Poland’s culinary traditions.

The HOP informed the agriculture as well as Pronar officials that one of Post’s priorities is agricultural cooperation between the Philippines and Poland especially since agricultural modernization is one of the top priorities of the Duterte administration. On the part of the Polish officials, they informed the HOP that a key  priority of the Agriculture Ministry is the search for new markets for Poland’s agriculture and livestock produce, especially in Asia.

Mr. Izbedski (extreme left) welcoming the Philippine Embassy officials; Deputy Director Goszszynski (3rd from left), Amb. Paez (2nd from right) and Ms. Credo (extreme right)

Amb. Paez with Undersecretary of State Mr. Romanowski and Deputy Director Goszsyznski of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

With renowned Polish chef Mr. Marcin Budynel (4th from left)

L to R: Ms. Credo, Ms. Vega, Amb. Paez and Deputy Director Goszczynski

Making deep fried potato using a “curling” gadget