At least 101 exhibitors are selling organic produce and promoting slow food in this year’s joint Negros Island Organic Farmers’ Festival and Terra Madre Visayas which runs until Nov. 23 at the Provincial Capitol grounds in this city.

Data of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist on Wednesday showed total sales on the event’s first day on Tuesday has reached PHP314,507.

This is the second year the Terra Madre Visayas is being held alongside the Negros Island Organic Farmers’ Festival, which is now on its 17th year.

In his message, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said that organic farming and the slow food movement hold immense significance as the province strives to meet the present needs without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

“These initiatives not only promote sustainable agricultural practices but also champion the preservation of biodiversity and the health of our communities,” he added.

Lacson noted that the slow food movement, which puts emphasis on clean and fair food, aligns well with the province’s shared vision of a sustainable and equitable future for all.

The governor added that since Terra Madre is a movement of change through cooperation, dialogue, sharing, responsibility, and food education, he hopes that through the ongoing event, stronger partnerships among stakeholders who share the same passion for sustainable practices will be fostered.

“By coming together, we strengthen our resolve for sustainable and fair agriculture and the protection of our environment,” he said.

Aside from the exhibits, the Negros Island Organic Farmers’ Festival also features forums on various topics with experts while the Terra Madre Visayas is organizing food talks and taste workshops.

Negros Occidental, as the Philippines’ national awardee for top performing organic agriculture province, is eyeing to host the 2027 Organic World Congress (OWC) spearheaded by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), and is vying for the hosting rights against Brisbane in Australia.

The winner will be announced during the 21st OWC in Taiwan slated from Dec. 2 to 6 this year.

The triennial event and its related activities, which involves thousands of organic farmers, producers, researchers, advocates, and policy experts from around the world, aim to share experiences, innovations and knowledge about the organic world. (PNA)