Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño has consulted the officers and members of the Association of Negros Producers about his proposed Social Enterprise Bill during his recent visit to Bacolod City.

Former ANP president Marivic Rio, said that during the consultation they updated Casiño on their latest agri program – OUR Food, which stands for Optimizing and Upscaling Roles in the Food Supply Chain.

“Casiño also updated us where they can come in and what support they can give us so we are ready to write him a proposal,” she said.

Rio, who was appointed as the new Sector Consultant together with ANP’s current president Mary Ann Colmenares and Benju Araneta as OIC Executive Director, said OUR Food program is supporting the food industry of Negros but this time it is mainly focused on fruits and vegetables.

The program is in partnership with the German AFOS Foundation for Entreprenurial Development Cooperation, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who will provide the marketing platforms, and other farmers organization, she said.

Rio said there are eight farmer groups in Negros including Alter Trade that they are working with and who will support the program, Rio said.

This is the only program that harmonizes with all other players in the food supply chain. “So we are not just working with processors of ANP but also with farmers, from the seed to the store,” she said.

Rio said this program will hopefully increase the income opportunities of farmers because they are raising their standards and giving them a niche market that they can work with and where they can command a higher price.

“What OUR Food does is make our product globally competitive because they are standardized,” she said.*CGS

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