Agriculture department lauds gains in organic farming

By Teresa Ellera

NEGROS Occidental is now leading in the organic farming movement in the country.

This was revealed by the Bureau of Agricultural Products and Fisheries Standards (BAPFS) in a survey conducted among all the provinces in the Philippines.

Salvador Salacup, Assistant Secretary and BAPFS Director, said Negros is the most active in the country in terms of the organic farming movement, specifically in terms of the hectarage of lands that are converted into organic farms as well as stakeholders.

Salacup represented Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala during the opening of the Organic Festival Wednesday.

Salacup said he personally witnessed the growth of organic producers in the province.

“The secretary is happy with the turnout of this organic festival. There are a total of 120 participant-exhibitors today and it's an indication of the interest and the passion of the Negrenses to really support the organic farming movement,” he said.

Salacup was also in the province during the last two years that the organic festival was held.

Last year there were 65 participant exhibitors, up from 40 in the last two years.

“Negros is now in the forefront in the organic movement and we can see the determination of your leaders here,” Salacup further said.

The Organic Festival is jointly supported by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental.

Salacup said that DA has been doing productivity enhancement by making sure that the farmers know of the organic technology and methodology in organic farming. The agency also provides services like vermiculite technology and shredders.

He said that he discussed on Wednesday with Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. the possibility of producing organic feeds like corn and taugi in the province.

Salacup also discussed with Marañon plans to expand the Negros Organic Sugar production.

“We will come up with all the plans and make sure that it is certified that they are surely organic products for international market. Japan who has been buying muscovado from Negros, Australia and Korea are very much interested,” he said. (TDE)

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