The 9th Organic Farmers Festival hosted by the province of Negros Occidental, opens tomorrow at the Capitol Grounds, on the theme, “One Negros, One Green Economy”, a press release from the Capitol said.

The activity will start with a thanksgiving mass at 8:30 a.m. within the Capitol grounds followed by the opening program.

Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Undersecretary for Special Concerns of the National Organic Agriculture Board, will be the keynote speaker.

Rep. Roman Romulo (Pasig City lone district) and the Chairman of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education will also give a message.

Gov. Alfredo Marañon, Jr. will give a message, while Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson will give the opening remarks.

Board Members Victor Javellana of Negros Occ. and Georgita Martinez of Negros Oriental, chairs of the respective SP Committees on Agriculture, will discuss the Gains and Challenges of Organic Agriculture Program in Negros Island.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the exhibits and displays of organic products will follow.

Day one activities include a talk on Green Economy and Sustainable Mountain Development by Jose Luis Fernandez and Benedicto Sanchez and a Zumba exercise.

On Thursday, there will be a tour to different organic farms; talks on Resiliency of Organic Agriculture to Climate Change by Dr. Esteban Godilano, Organic Feed Formulation and Production by Dr. Jaime Cabarles Jr., The Economic Value of NTFPs and the role of elementary school mainstreaming by Johaness Henricus “Jenne” de Beer; Organic Quiz Bee-AEW category; Hinampang sang mga Tumandok; Organic Swine Production by Porferio Gallego Jr; GMA Kapuso show and “Gab-i sang Pasundayag” night.

On Friday activities include forums on Natural Farming by Keith Mikkelson, Muscovado Regional Forum by SRA, Health and Wellness: One of the Principles of Organic Agriculture by Dr. Mechelle Palma, Sustainable Wild Honey Production and Market Potential by Dr. Erwin Diloy, Plenary Session on Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) for the OA Multi-stakeholders by Dr. Charito Medina; as well as Negrense Native Delicacies Cooking Competition and Lamb Meat Cooking Contest with Chef Panos Georgopoulos and a concert by DAR-South to cap the day.

On Day 4 will have an Extreme Run and Negros Organic Fun Run in the morning; seminars on Organic Seed Production and Post Harvest Management by Milagros Abaquita; Organi Quiz Bee; Poster-making, Fabric hand painting and Organic Beverages preparation contests; Forest-based food seminar by Dr. Ramon Razal; Organic Vegetable Production in the Highland: Benguet Experience by Dr. Jose Balaoing; Farm Tourism Talk by Ramon Peñalosa Jr.; Barangay Kapamilya by ABS-CBN and a cultural show by DepEd.

Last day activities are a poster-making contest; a talk on Prospects and Directions of Cacao Industry by Valente Turtur; Orientation on RA 9700 or CARPER New Support Services by Milagros Flores and a Closing Program.

Expected to attend the celebration are OISCA International President Yoshiko Nakano and Pasig Rep. Romulo’s wife, Shalani Soledad-Romulo.*

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