Organic farming meet in Cebu to tackle new trends, practices

Farmers, producers, suppliers of organic produce, and representatives from the agriculture sector across the country will gather to learn new trends in organic farming next month.

The 2012 National Organic Agriculture Convention in Mandaue City “is an opportunity to find out about  global trends,”said Asst. Secretary Salvador Salacup of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

“We have to show to the international community our standards and readiness to  supply the growing but very discriminating international market,” he said during a visit last week to Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

Andre Leu, president of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM), will be the keynote speaker of the convention to be held from Nov. 6 to 8 at the J Center Mall in Mandaue City.

IFOAM is the worldwide umbrella organization of organic agriculture movement and has 750 member-organizations.

Salacup  said that Cebu is considered   one of the emerging organic farming centers in the country.

Governor Garcia suggested that participants visit organic farms in Aloguinsan town in western Cebu, which has been part of the itinerary of recent Suroy-Suroy midwest caravans.

She also suggested a sidetrip for delegates to  to try the Bojo River Cruise in the town.

Salacup said he is expecting about 1,500 participants to attend the convention.

The convention will also discuss topics about  standards, food safety, and proper accreditation practices.

There will also be a chef’s parade, where chefs will prepare dishes made of organic ingredients.

Salacup commended the Cebu provincial government’s thrust in fully implementing the “Organic Agriculture Act of 2010” in the province./Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus