THE Silay City Government will open today the P1.7-million organic trading post in Barangay Mambulac seen to further boost the northern Negros city’s flourishing organic industry.
Jo Ann Diosa, agricultural technologist of Silay City Agriculture Office, yesterday said the facility, funded by the national government through the Department of Agriculture (DA), will initially cater to organic farmer-members of various farmer groups.
These are Barangay Patag United Organic Farmers Association, Guimbalaon Organic Farmers Association, Sitio Sibato Tribal Community Association, and Guimbalaon Integrated Rice Farmers Association.
Diosa said the trading post will serve as a center or “bagsakan” where farmers can bring and sell their organic products, mostly high-value commercial crops.
“Through the trading post, we aim to assist our organic farmers by providing them sure market for their products,” Diosa said, adding that by addressing the need for more accessible market the local organic industry will surely get a boost.
The trading post, open during weekdays, will eventually cater to other organic farming associations in the city.
The City Agriculture Office will take charge of its operation for the first year. After enabling the farmers in operating the facility, it will be turned over to the Barangay Patag United Organic Farmers Association.
Diosa said they already tapped restaurants and other food establishments in the city to source out their raw materials from the trading post.
The city government, for the meantime, will buy all the products of the farmers linked to the trading post.
“We will sell their products to the food establishments thus, they are assured of the market,” Diosa said, adding that “as soon as supply is ensured, we will link them to more establishments in other localities in the province, including Bacolod City.”
Silay City is one of the organic producing cities of Negros Occidental.
City Agriculture Office records showed that of the 15,000 hectares of agricultural area in the city, about 200 hectares are devoted to organic farming, producing mainly vegetables.
Other products include those organic by default commodities such as banana, coffee, coconut, and cacao.
At least 95 percent of the total organic products come from farms in Barangays Patag and Guimbalaon.