NEXT week, Negros Occidental will host two of the biggest annual gatherings of organic advocates in the country.
These are the 12th National Organic Agriculture Congress (NOAC) on Nov. 25 to 27 at the SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City, and the 10th Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival (NIOFF) on Nov. 25 to 29 at the Provincial Capitol Grounds and the North Capitol Road, also in Bacolod City.
NOAC is expected to gather more than 1,800 delegates from across the country, while NIOFF will showcase 200 local exhibitors of organic produce and products.
The two events have parallel activities. One of these is the daily tour to organic farms and famous tourist spots in Negros Occidental for five days, or also on Nov. 25 to 29.
Delegates, guests, and visitors to both organic events will have an opportunity to visit the May's Organic Garden in Bacolod City, FreshStart Organic in Silay City, Peñalosa Farms in Victorias City, and Rapha Valley in Salvador Benedicto, according to Dr. Armigena Benedicto, focal person for organic of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist.
The NIOFF and NOAC will have booths at their respective venues where delegates and interested individuals can book for the daily organic farm tours.
The daily tour will also include side trips to The Ruins and Campuestohan Highland Resort, both in Talisay City, Bantug Lake Ranch in Bacolod, and Mambukal Resort in Murcia.
Other destinations include Hacienda Maquina, Hawaiian-Philippine Company, and heritage houses - all in Silay City; RU Foundry in Bacolod; Buro-Buro Springs Vermi Farm in Talisay City, Sto. Domingo Orchard and OISCA Training Center, both in Bago City; and BPI (Bureau of Plant Industry) in La Granja La Carlota City.
After the tour, delegates may also dine at any or all of the four organic restaurants in Bacolod, dubbed "Farm to Table Restaurants"- FreshStart Organic either at The Ayala Northpoint Ayala Mall or Robinsons Place, Merkado at the Art District, Twenty Six Herb Garden at 6th St., and Museum Cafe at the Negros Museum.
They can also eat organic food at the North Capitol Road, where the NIOFF will be held by that time.
The third and last day of NOAC will be spent for organic farm tours.
Both the NIOFF and NOAC have a common theme, "Halin Talamnan, Tubtub Kalan-an (Farm to Table)."
For bookings for organic farm tours, contact Raymond Alunan of the Provincial Tourism Office at 0916-7645542.