SILAY CITY -- The just opened P1.7-million organic trading post funded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Barangay Mambulac here is seen to bring expansion of agricultural areas devoted to organic.
DA-Negros Island Region Director Joyce Wendam, who spoke at the opening rites on Tuesday, August 8, said providing easy market access through the facility will push organic farmers to produce more by expanding their respective production areas.
She pointed out that access to stable market has been one of the pressing challenges of organic farmers in the province.
"While we are pushing for the expansion of organic farms in the province, we are also doing our best to help the farmers link their products to the market," Wendam said, adding that production and marketing are two vital components of the industry chain.
DA-NIR records showed the province currently has almost 16,000 hectares of agricultural areas devoted to organic farming, with almost 17,000 adapters.
Negros Occidental is still short by about 4,000 hectares of the mandated conversion of 20,000 hectares out of the total agricultural area of about 400,000 hectares.
Under Republic Act 10068, or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, each province should convert at least five percent of the total agricultural area to organic farming.
In Silay, only about 200 hectares of its 15,000-hectare agricultural area are devoted to organic farming.
Wendam said the facility in Silay is the first organic trading post in the province under the collaboration of the DA and the local government.
Aside from promoting active interaction between producers and consumers, the project also lessens middlemen intervention resulting to increase in income and more sustainable livelihood to the farmers.
"The trading post will serve as a marketing arm that will consolidate all organic products in the city with prices favorable to the producers," Wendam said, adding: "We hope this project will become sustainable and will further empower organic farmers."
Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., in a message delivered by Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino, said the establishment of the trading post shows the firm dedication and commitment of the City Government in pushing forward its organic agriculture program for the welfare of its constituents.
Marañon expressed gratitude to the Silaynons for the support they have provided to the Provincial Government in its bid to accelerate growth and development through agriculture and food security programs.
"We are optimistic that this trading post will be a perfect place for our different farmers' organizations and food producers to come together and join forces in supporting and advocating for organic agriculture," he said.
It is not only beneficial to the livelihood, but most importantly for the health and well-being of the Negrenses, the governor added.
Silay City Mayor Mark Golez, who was represented by City Administrator Ryan Montoro, said organic agriculture development is one of the thrusts of the City Government under its food security program.
Golez said the local government fully supports organic as it maintains the integrity of both the people and the land.
"We hope that more Silaynons will practice organic production and consumption," the mayor said, adding that "organic farming helps avoid pollution and global warming."
rSilay City Agriculturist Jason Benedicto said they are eyeing to saturate other potential markets outside Silay, including Bacolod City.
Benedicto said the trading post provides recipient-farmers sure income as the City Government will be the one to purchase and sell their products.
All restaurants and food establishments in the city were already surveyed and tapped to buy raw materials and ingredients from the trading post.
"As soon as we can expand production and increase the supply, we will definitely saturate outside markets. Silay will then become the major supplier of organic produce among commercial establishments in the province," he added.
Benedicto said the City Agriculture Office is also planning to purchase a truck to transport products from farm to the trading post.
This will further lessen the expenses of the farmers, he added.
The local government will manage the operation of the trading post, which was constructed using funds from the national government through the DA, for one year.
After which, the operation will be turned over to the farmers.
At present, the facility caters to farmer-members of four organizations.
Other organic farmers are urged to also organize themselves to avail of the project.