It’s the season for the 2-in-1 event focused on organic agriculture!
The 17th Annual Negros Organic Farming Festival organized by the Provincial Government will be simultaneously held with the Terra Madre Visayas gathering at the Capitol grounds and facilities on Nov. 19-23.
The two events will focus on the themes, “Abanse Kita sa Organiko nga Panguma” and “Restoring Our Relationship with Nature”, respectively.
Activities in both events will include booth exhibits by about 150 farming groups and food-related organizations, fora and discussions and competitions.
Included in the discussions are updates in the national organic agriculture program implementation and agro-forestry initiatives, considered as the “new sunshine industry of Negros.”
Experiences of farmers engaged in related farming and fishery programs will also be shared along with the health value of organic meals as well as the methods in the use of digital marketing of organic farm products.
***
The Terra Madre regional conference will be held apparently as part of the bid of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City to become the “Slow Food Capital of the Asia-Pacific” while it also promotes culinary tourism.
The slow food movement offers an alternative to fast food and aims to preserve traditional and regional cuisine and encourage farming of plants, seeds, and livestock characteristic of the local ecosystem.
Global advocates say the movement “promotes local small businesses and sustainable food, particularly products of organic farms.”
***
A forum held to drum up interest among the youth sector on the two events was held at Negros Occidental High School on Nov. 14.
Resource persons in the forum were Elena Aniere, Asia-Pacific director of Slow Food International, and Reena Gamboa, spokesperson of the Negros Slow Food Community.
The NOHS activity was initiated by the Special Program in Journalism and the student publications.
Ana Batisla-on, head of the NOHS-SPJ, said the activity was held to, among others, develop awareness of students in the value of organic farming and the slow food community and consequently tap youth involvement in the promotion of the organic farming and slow-food-related activities.
More than 200 students of science, journalism, technology and social studies and other classes attended the forum.
***
Still on the matter of people’s well-being, a global event close to the minds and hearts of many Filipinos was marked on Nov. 14 – World Diabetes Day.
The observance focused on the theme, “Diabetes and Well-being.”
Millions of people with diabetes face daily challenges managing their condition at home, work, and school. They must be resilient, organized, and responsible, impacting both their physical and mental well-being, the WDD website said.
The theme was apparently framed in response to the findings of a recent global survey conducted by the International Diabetes Federation that showed that 77 percent of people living with diabetes “have experienced anxiety, depression, or another mental health condition because of their diabetes. Diabetes care often focuses only on blood sugar, leaving many overwhelmed.”
As of recent records, about 4.5 million Filipinos were diagnosed with diabetes, with nearly 3 million others still undiagnosed.
Promoters of the event called on putting “well-being at the heart if diabetes care and start the change for the better.”
***
The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. (Deuteronomy 28:8) | NWI
