• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Organic producers generated about P2.422 million in total sales during the 17th Negros Island Organic Farmers’ Festival and 2nd Terra Madre Visayas held at the North Capitol Road and Provincial Capitol grounds in Bacolod City from Nov. 18 to 23.
Provincial agriculturist Dina Genzola said on Monday (Nov. 25) that the Cadiz City booth ranked number one with the highest sales at P231,130, followed by Sagay City, P186,428, and Manapla P100,370, all in the second district of Negros Occidental.
Don Salvador Benedicto was adjudged as best booth, followed by the cities of Talisay and Cadiz, in second and third places, respectively.
During the closing ceremony on Nov. 23, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson described the twin events as a “resounding success” as he acknowledged organizers, participants, partners, and advocates, for their invaluable contributions to the success of the five-day festival.
Negros Occidental is competing with Australia for the rights to host the Organic World Congress in 2027, with the winner to be announced during the 21st OWC in Taiwan set from Dec. 2 to 6.
The festival, held alongside the 1st Terra Madre Visayas organized by the Slow Food Community in Negros Island, aimed to promote small-scale, traditional and sustainable food production in the region.
Last year, the Organic Farmers’ Festival and 1st Terra Madre Visayas generated sales of P2.7 million. | GB
