CCCI spearheads organic fair and conference

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu is seen to lead an organic revolution lifestyle, as the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Cebu Coalition for Food Security and AFOS foundation will hold the first “Cebu Going Organic (Go Cebu) Fair and Conference on October 21 to 23 this year.

To be held at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), the three-day event will mark Cebu's commitment to promote healthy lifestyle and environment-friendly farming.

Event chairman for programs and exhibits Samson Tiu said that with this move, there is a need for Cebu to organize a group of farmers that will eventually serve as a certification body.

At present, there are only three organic farm certification group, two of which are privately operated, while the other one is managed by the government.

“The organic law is very strict. It involves a lot of processes,” said Tiu adding that while the market for organic products such as fruits, vegetables, and crops are on the rise, farmers will not only be able to take advantage this growing market domestically, but also it will open the wide consumer-base overseas.

In terms of organic farming promotion, Cebu is lagging behind, although the province is not an agricultural area. Negros, and Bohol are leading this movement, and Cebu is seen to trail blaze in this movement, Tiu said.

Because of this conference, Cebu intends to lead in the organic lifestyle revolution in the region.

Aside from promoting organic-farming, the event also aimed at encouraging young generation businessmen to engage into farming trade, while productivity of farmers in Cebu is going down, and average age of farmers now is at 55 years old, said CCFS chairman Roberto Bajinting.

In Cebu, several non-government organizations (NGOs) appealed to the Department of Agriculture (DA) to implement a sustainable farming system in the city and province to help ensure food security.

Earlier, DA announced that it is allocating P900 million for 2011 to implement various initiatives under the “Organic Agriculture Act 2010” or Republic Act No. 10068.

As provided under the Republic Act, a National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB) will be created to serve as the policy-making body that will provide direction and general guidelines for the implementation of the national organic agriculture program.

Tiu said the market for organic products is steadily increasing across the world.

“This is why there is a pressing need to push for the production of organic crops, livestock and processed food especially in the Visayas region,”said Tiu.

Various targeted participants are expected to come and be part of the organic revolution, he added. (FREEMAN)