The Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation Inc. (NWTF), commonly known as Project Dungganon, successfully concluded the Balik Panguma (back to farming) Initiative Agri-Fair on May 7-8 at the NWTF office along San Sebastian-Verbena Streets in Bacolod City.
The two-day event served as the culminating activity of the Balik Panguma Initiative, gathering over 200 beneficiaries from urban, coastal, and upland communities to celebrate agriculture, sustainable farming, and community-based food security efforts across Negros Island.
The agri-fair featured agricultural lectures and workshops, live cooking demonstrations, a rooftop demo garden exhibit, the Dungganon agri-market, and the showcase of sustainable farming technologies and practices.
The event provided participants with opportunities to learn practical agricultural techniques, explore livelihood options, and deepen their understanding of food sustainability, the NWTF said in a press release May 11.
Through the event, NWTF reaffirmed its commitment to empowering communities through agriculture and sustainable development, it added.
The Balik Panguma Initiative continues to support Dungganon clients from vulnerable sectors by promoting environmental awareness, agricultural innovation, and resilient farming practices.
Established in 2023, the initiative was made possible by a US$500,000 grant from the Citi Foundation, and was launched to help strengthen food security, promote sustainable agriculture, and create economic opportunities for farming communities.
Two years later, Agri-Fair 2026 was held to commemorate the initiatives’ milestone.
“This gathering is more than an event; it is a celebration of our clients, who participated in our Balik Panguma Initiative, our shared work, and our collective hope for secure, sustainable, and nourishing food for every family,” NWTF chairperson and co-founder Corazon Henares said.
The initiative was aimed at harnessing education and support to drive sustainable farming practices that ensure safe, nutritious, and accessible food for every table; championing agriculture through backyard and community-based farming initiatives as a pathway to long-term food security; and empowering the agricultural industry to advance a sustainable and circular economy.
NWTF expressed its gratitude to the Citi Foundation, partner-organizations, resource speakers, exhibitors, media partners, and all participants, who contributed to the success of the Balik Panguma Agri-Fair 2026.
As the initiative moves forward, NWTF remains committed to strengthening food security efforts and encouraging more communities to embrace sustainable agriculture as a means of livelihood and empowerment. ||
