Organic farmers fest kicks off today
The 5th Negros Organic Farmers’ Festival will open today and run until Saturday with more than 60 exhibitors showcasing their organic products.
The three-day festival will feature organic food and various exhibits and activities at the Organic na Negros! Market in front of the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol.
It will also feature cooking demonstrations of organic food by famous Negrense chefs and restaurateurs; exhibits of organic, healthy, local and vegetarian food, and eco-friendly products and technology; talks by nationally and internationally known experts on organic food production and business and related topics; agri-tourism health and wellness fair, and live band concerts.
Started in 2006, the festival is considered the first and the longest running festival of its kind in the country, organizers said.
This year’s celebration is spearheaded by the Negros Island Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Foundation, in collaboration with the Negros Occidental provincial government and Organik na Negros! Organic Producers and Retailers Association.
Exhibits will be displayed at the Organic na Negros! Market, while simultaneous symposia will be held at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall and at the event booth.
The activities, that will center on the theme, “Organic Agriculture: Consolidating Gains, Meeting Challenges and Opportunities,” will start today at 8 a.m. with a thanksgiving mass and blessing of the newly renovated Organic na Negros! Market to be officiated by Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra.
An opening ceremony will follow, where Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Vice Gov. Genaro Alvarez Jr., Negros Oriental Gov. Agustin Perdices and 2nd District Rep. George Arnaiz Jr., Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, and Agriculture Regional Director Larry Nacionales, will address guests and participants.
Of the 64 exhibitors, 14 are certified by the Negros Island Certification Services (NICERT) as organic, Roberto Gasparillo Jr., NICERT organic guarantee officer, said.
Certified organic companies include Fresh Start Organics, Negros Institute for Rural Development, Iliranan Tribal Council, Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, Merco L. Obas, Organic Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative, Alter Trade, Inc., Sag-ang Organic Coffee Producers Association, La Carlota Organic Coffee Producers Association, Humayan Ministry, Tabunan Organic Farm, Monchito’s, Organic Aqua Feed Research Project, and Golden Organic Agri-Venture.
Products that are certified organic by NICERT have met international standard of certification process, Gasparillo said.
Organizers said some of the exhibitors in the festival are currently in-conversion to organic, while others will use certified organic ingredients in their products.*
