Mary Jean Sentillas, a fourth-year Agribusiness student of Davao del Sur State College (DSSC) showcased her homegrown product, Balani Cracker at Agrilink, Foodlink, and Aqualink 2026, held on October 8-10, 2026, at the World Trade Center, Metro Manila, Pasay City.
Sentillas previously participated in the Young Farmers’ Challenge (YFC) of the Department of Agriculture Region XI in 2025, where Balani Cracker was pitched and awarded as one of the Provincial YFC awardees.
Through the Department of Agriculture, Sentillas was invited to participate in the Agrilink, Foodlink, and Aqualink 2026, bringing her innovation to a wider market.
“This experience is a meaningful milestone in my journey as a young agripreneur. I am truly grateful for your trust, support, and commitment to empowering young farmers and entrepreneurs,” Sentillas quoted.
She also added that it was a privilege to represent her hometown and share a locally made product that transforms banana resources into an innovative snack. Balani cracker is made from Banana sheath sourced from locally available banana plants.
The said event is the biggest internationally recognized and participated agribusiness exhibition in the Philippines organized by the Foundation for Resource Linkage and Development. It served as a valuable platform to showcase innovative agricultural products, promote local agribusinesses, and connect entrepreneurs with a wider market.
Lastly, this initiative supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
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