500 Vegetable Growers Nationwide To Convene In Neg. Occ.

500 Vegetable Growers

Nationwide To Convene In Neg. Occ.

More than 500 vegetable growers and stakeholders will gather in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental for the 12th National Vegetable Congress and Expo on December 4 - 7, 2014.

This national convention aims to unite vegetable farmers across the Philippines to help  strengthen high value crops and organic agriculture production.

The provincial government of Negros Occidental, in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Office 6, Philippine Vegetable Industry Development Board, Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Organic Producers and Retailers Association (ONOPRA), organized this national confab to introduce a new revenue stream for the vegetable industry through leisure farm vacation and tours.

The four-day congress will include the following activities:  Plenary Sessions, Expo and Negros Farmers Weekend Market, Leisure Farm Tours and Lectures, and Seed Showcase.

On December 4, a whole-day plenary session will focus on the collaboration of the national government, local government units, and agricultural entrepreneurs to promote rural advancement.

Participants will be equipped with the DA’s roadmap for competitive agriculture in one ASEAN economy, climate change, and the private sector’s initiative in high value crops development and organic farming.

They will also tour to Rapha Valley Farm, Quiet Place Resort and Farm, May’s Garden and Restaurant, Peñalosa Farm and San Antonio II Farm.

MBCCI President Frank Carbon said that in the concluding plenary, the LGUs and the agricultural companies will present to DA Undersecretary Emmerson Palad and Gov. Alfredo G. Marañon Jr. the Memorandum of Undertaking creating vegetable training farms in various towns and cities in Negros Occidental. /MP