Black Rice Philippines

GUV EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT OVER TERRA MADRE'S SALES CONTRIBUTION TO ORGANIC FARMERS

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson expressed his disappointment regarding the co-hosting of the first Terra Madre Asia and Pacific in Negros Occidental, citing that local organic farmers did not benefit as much as anticipated from the event.

According to Lacson, exhibitors contributed only P185,000 or about 6.5% to the P2.8 million Organic Farmer's Festival sales. The event aimed to connect international exhibitors with local producers for raw ingredient purchases.

Purchases were minimal initially: P10,000 on Day 1, P13,000 on Day 2, P14,000 on Day 3 and 4, and a significant P133,000 only on the last day after repeated urging from the Provincial Agriculturist’s Office.

“It's disappointing because we hoped our organic farmers would benefit more,” Lacson stressed, after the province allocated P6 million to host the event.

via RTC/VDS