Monday, April 16, 2007 Negros to bid for Int'l Organic Farming gab in 2011 By Nicolas C. Delfin
CONFIDENT with the recent progress of the province in agricultural enterprise, Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Marañon Sunday said the province will bid for the next International Organic Farming Conference set in 2011.
"This would really mean something not only for our Negros farmers but also for the rest of the provinces in the country and I hope everyone will cooperate for this purpose," Marañon said.
"Next year, the International Organic Farming Conference will be held in Italy and we really hope to bring it here in Negros by the year 2011," he added.
During his speech at the opening of the Panaad Festival last Saturday, Marañon said "Our cooperation with the Province of Negros Oriental in organic farming through the support of our beloved farmers had successfully made us an organic island and thus, we hope to bring the best of the rest of the world here in Negros."
"Through this endeavor, we hope we can gain more knowledge and insights especially in the organic farming which we can later impart to our farmers in achieving more breakthroughs in agriculture," he said.
Through the Executive Order no. 481, or the promotion and development of organic agriculture in the Philippines, both the Province of Negros Occidental and the Province of Negros Oriental under the leadership of Governor Marañon and Governor George Arnaiz, respectively, further enhanced the organic farming that seeks global competitiveness, environmental integrity, food security and safety in increasing productivity and alleviating poverty.
Both had also successfully conducted the 2nd Negros Island Organic Farmer's Festival last February 8-10, at the Capitol ground in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.
At present, a number of private and non-government organization's farms in the different areas of the province are into organic farming.
