THE Provincial Government of Negros Occidental is looking forward to a more bullish economy by pushing for more development initiatives especially in the agriculture industry.
Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said the province maintains it goal to become a "green island" as it scales up production of high-value organic products like colored rice, cacao and coffee, among others.
"We continue to envision becoming the Organic Food Bowl of Asia," Marañon said, adding that efforts on further boosting local organic industry, including the expansion of production areas, continue.
Records of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) showed that the current agricultural land area in Negros Occidental devoted to organic farming has expanded to 15,000 hectares as of last year, which is 50 percent wider than about 10,000 hectares in 2013.
Organic farms in the province, including organic by default areas, is currently cultivated by about 10,000 organic farmers from all local government units (LGUs), it added.
To further help farmers, fisherfolk and livestock raisers, the provincial government will establish the Negros First Terminal Complex with cold storage facilities.
"We will encourage our LGUs to establish food processing centers all over the province to value-add agricultural crops, livestock, and marine products to extend their shelf life and improve marketability," Marañon said.
Another sector which the provincial government, through the Provincial Economic Development and Investment Center, is also giving priority now is bamboo.
Marañon said the province will implement its Provincial Bamboo Development Plan and will also revive the abaca fiber industry to complement the local silk industry.
Also part of the development direction is speeding up development in the countryside by constantly supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), he added.
Marañon said enterprise development should not only focus on product development, but also on packaging and marketing.
For the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, which is also being positioned to help boost local entrepreneurs, the province will transform the Negros Occidental Language and Information Center (NOLITC) into the Negros First Institute of Technology.
The new building will be constructed on the property bought by the province in Talisay City.
"We need to upgrade our ICT equipment and facilities at the Capitol and establish connectivity among government hospitals and LGUs," the governor added.