The agri-business sector, especially organic agriculture, will help Western Visayas prepare for the upcoming implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community integration 2015, Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., said yesterday.

Marañon, who spoke at the opening of the Regional Agri-fair at the Panaad Park in Brgy. Mansilingan in Bacolod City, said organic agriculture has come a long way since its inception nine years ago.

He said that, indeed, Negros is already an organic island, not only in the Philippines but in Asia, as envisioned by then Negros Oriental Governor George Arnaiz and the late Governor Joseph Marañon of Negros Occidental, when they signed a memorandum of agreement in Tanjay City in 2005.

Marañon added that, in fact, the profit of Negros island from organic products grew by at least 25 percent annually.

May Ann Grajo, head of the agri-business Department of Agriculture In Region 6, said the agency is offering a window for an accreditation program where it reimburses the expenses of the organic producers in acquiring certifications for their products.

Grajo said this is one way of encouraging organic producers to have their products accredited by respective agencies.

She said that the organic products will, hopefully, boost the sales of the agri-fair this year and exceed last year's profit which was P900,000 only.

Grajo added that, through the fair, the good practices in agriculture are being shared by other provinces and, at the same time, it is a venue and showcase for other local products as well.

Aside from the provinces in Region 6, Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Davao and Cebu also joined the fair this year.

DA-Region 6 poured in half a million pesos for the holding of the fair this year.*APN

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