THE Organik Na Negros Producers and Retailers Association (Onopra) will showcase the sustainable organic industry of Negros Occidental as it joins the 2nd Philippine Natural and Organic Products Expo in SM Megamall in Metro Manila on October 23 to 25.
Onopra President Ramon Uy Jr. said the national product expo is a huge opportunity for local organic producers to showcase their products and tap larger markets outside the province like Metro Manila, which has a high potential niche for organic products.
Uy said Onopra members will showcase truly Negros products like muscovado sugar, coffee, wine, ginger, and turmeric tea and other organic processed products.
“This will surely highlight the sustainable organic industry of Negros given that it tops the country in terms of product traceability,” Uy said, adding that because of strong value chain the province has the capacity to easily certify products and organize groups.
Moreover, Uy pointed out that the strong value chain, from the provincial government and private sector initiatives down to processor and individual producers, has helped even small farmers in the province by linking them to wider markets.
“The opportunity for organic is very big even if in terms of local market only, how much more if we can link them for export,” he added.
Uy said that after seeing the strong marketability of Negrense products and the strong spirit of producers during the Negros Trade Fair held in Makati City last month, a foreign investor engaged in distillery business will come to the province this week to source out organic fair trade rum.
He further said that the national natural and organic product expo will prove that Philippines has actually the capacity to top the organic industry with Negros as its bowl.
On top of providing a healthy alternative for consumers, the activity will also test the marketability of the country’s organic products amid the Asean economic integration. (EPN)