BACOLOD CITY — Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. on Friday called on the youth of Negros to engage in farming given the massive potential in Philippine agriculture,
The governor made the call as the province played host to the four-day 12th Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival which ended Saturday at the Capitol grounds, this city.
He said those who want to engage in agriculture should start young.
“If they love agriculture, if they love being a farmer, it will become a habit,” the governor said, noting that only “very few” young people choose to be in agriculture.
Marañon said it’s “very easy to produce” in the Philippines because it has lots of endemic plants, animals, and resources.
He, however, lamented the country is deficient in research and development.
Moreover, the governor underscored the need to increase organic agriculture production in Negros Island to meet the growing global demand.
“The demand is growing, but the supply can’t catch up. We have to double time in our organic movement,” the governor said.
Negros Island has at least 20 percent annual growth in terms of area devoted to organic agriculture, but amid the increase in supply the demand still grows, he said.
Marañon said the festival will help equip Negrense farmers in working together to improve their production.
“Organic is the way of the future and one measure to address climate change,” he added.
Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino said aside from showcasing products, the festival is also encouraging more organic produce among Negrense farmers.
“As we continue to encourage organic farmers to increase their production, we are also urging conventional farmers to shift into organic system of farming,” he said.
Based on the Department of Agriculture’s reports, Negros Occidental has about 16,000 hectares of agricultural lands devoted to organic farming, with almost 17,000 organic adaptors, mostly small farmers.
The area, however,is still lower by almost 4,000 hectares, based on the mandated 20,000 hectares.
Under Republic Act 10060, or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, Negros Occidental should devote five percent of its almost 400,000-hectare agriculture area to organic farming. (Marchel Espina/PNA)
