SILAY CITY, Aug. 8 -- An organic trading post funded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) opened in Barangay Mambulac, Silay City in northern Negros Occidental on Tuesday.
DA-NIR Regional Director Joyce Wendam, who attended the unveiling rites, said the PHP1.7-million facility is seen to boost expansion of organic agricultural areas in the province. It will provide easy market access and push organic farmers here to produce more, she added.
Wendam said the availability of stable market has been one of the pressing concerns of organic farmers in Negros Occidental, including those in Silay.
“While we are pushing for the expansion of organic farms in the province, we are also doing our best to help them link their products to the market,” she added.
The organic trading post will initially cater to members of Barangay Patag United Organic Farmers Association, Guimbalaon Organic Farmers Association, Sitio Sibato Tribal Community Association, and Guimbalaon Integrated Rice Farmers Association.
Jo Ann Diosa, agricultural technologist of Silay City Agriculture Office, said the facility, which opens on weekdays, will serve as a “bagsakan” where farmers can bring and sell their organic products.
“We aim to assist our organic farmers by providing them sure market for their products,” she said.
Diosa said that for now, the city government will buy all the products of the farmers linked to the trading post.
She added that the City Agriculture Office will take charge of its operation for the first year, and it will eventually be turned over to the Barangay Patag United Organic Farmers Association.
The city government has tapped restaurants and other food establishments in Silay as buyers of the organic products sold at the trading post.(PNA)
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