The 6th Negros Island Organic Farmers’ Festival opens today at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol Grounds in Bacolod City with the participation of various groups including 100 exhibitors.

“The Organic Festival has become a multi-sectoral event already, not just of the farmers, because everyone now wants to be involved in our organic advocacy,” Ramon Uy Jr., president of Organik na Negros! Organic Producers and Retailers Association, a press release from organizers said.

“Going organic does not only affect the farmers, but also the consumers, community, wildlife and the environment. We need to work together because our food system is at stake, that’s why everyone is involved,” Uy said.

The festival that runs until December 20, has the theme, “One Food, One Island, One Life,” and is being held parallel to the Negros First Livestock and Food for Peace Festival of the Provincial Veterinary Office on the same dates, also at the Provincial Capitol Grounds. 

The festival starts today with a motorcade around Bacolod City at 7 a.m., Thanksgiving Mass at 8 a.m. and opening program at 9 a.m. 

Considered the first and the longest-running festival of its kind in the country today, the festival will highlight more than 100 exhibitors from around the country, featuring exhibits of organic, healthy, local and vegetarian food, and eco- friendly products and technology, and agri-tourism health and wellness fair, the press release said.

It will also showcase the second edition of the CookFest, featuring 25 of the country’s top chefs and restaurateurs from Manila and Negros.

This year’s festival will gather organic farmers in Negros Island, and some from around the country, to showcase organic food and farming technologies through exhibits and symposia.

There will be a Market Matching to be facilitated by the Department of Trade and Industry, where chefs and restaurateurs from around the country, and members of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Negros Occidental will meet with local organic farmers and small-time farmers and fishermen for the supply of organic produce, the press release said.

The chefs and restaurateur, especially those based in Manila, said they are looking at Negros Island as a major source of organic products because they cannot find them by bulk or in consistent supply in Luzon for their restaurants in Manila.

The festival will highlight Negros Island as a major producer of organic food in the country.

There will also be Organic Tours where guests can visit different organic farms and tourists spots in Negros Occidental such as Fresh start Organic Farm, Peñalosa Farm, Nature’s Village, Buro-Buro Springs, May’s Organic Garden and Eco Park, Tabunan Organic Farm, and Ahmon’s Small Holder Organic Farm, the press release added.

The five-day activity will feature talks on the latest updates in organic agriculture, songwriting contest, quiz bees, and a concert.*

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