The 6th Negros Island Organic Farmers’ Festival is slated December 16 to 20 at the Provincial Capitol with new activities and more than 100 exhibitors from various organic groups from Negros island and around the country, a press release from organizers said.

The five-day activity will feature various events like the organic cookfest, a cooking demonstration of special organic menus by celebrity chefs, well-known restaurateurs and participants from selected culinary schools; and talks on the latest updates in organic agriculture, songwriting contest, quiz bees, and a concert.

It will also feature exhibits of organic, healthy, local and vegetarian food, and eco- friendly products and technology; talks by nationally and internationally known experts on organic food production and business and related topics; and agri-tourism health and wellness fair, the press release said.

Exhibits will be displayed at the Organic na Negros! Market and event booths at Gatuslao Street and South Capitol road while symposia will be held at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall.

Started in 2006, the festival is considered the first and the longest-running festival of its kind in the country, organizers said. Since then, it has helped the Negros Island position itself as a major producer of organic products in the country, they added.

Organizers added that the annual Negros Island Organic Festival is a rare gathering of local organic farmers, producers and consumers, including chefs and restaurateurs.

This year’s organic festival will be bigger in terms of participation because organizers have invited various organic groups from other regions around the country to join in the exhibits and other activities.

The event will also become bigger with the parallel activity of the Provincial Veterinary Office which is going to be held also on December 16 to 20 at the Provincial Capitol.

Both activities are in line with the food security thrust of Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., the press release said.

The governor believes that his Food for Peace program will help improve the lives of Negrenses in the countryside, it added.

This year’s organic festival is led by the provincial government of Negros Occidental through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, the Negros Island Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Foundation and the Organik na Negros! Organic Producers and Retailers Association.*

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