By CESAR JOLITO III
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has raised concerns over the minimal economic gains received by local organic farmers during the first Terra Madre Asia and Pacific, saying the international event did not achieve its core objective of elevating farmer incomes.
“It’s disappointing in a sense because we were hoping our organic farmers would benefit more from hosting Terra Madre,” Lacson said, noting that the data showed the collaboration’s primary intent was not met.
Out of the P2.8 million total sales recorded during the five-day festival, only P185,000, or 6.5 percent, came from Terra Madre exhibitors.
Lacson disclosed that sales trickled in slowly during the event, with purchases amounting to only P10,000 on the first day, P13,000 on the second, and P14,000 on both the third and fourth days, before rising to P133,000 on the last day — an increase he attributed to “persistent encouragement” from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist.
However, Lacson said the anticipated boost for local farmers did not materialize.
“We will need to evaluate what went wrong and make adjustments so that by 2027, our organic farmers can truly maximize the opportunities from Terra Madre,” he said.
The setup was intended to encourage Terra Madre chefs and exhibitors to directly purchase raw ingredients from Negros-based organic producers.
“It is an intentional decision on our part to hold the Organic Festival alongside Terra Madre Asia and Pacific. This alignment will create synergy, enabling our Terra Madre chefs from across Asia and the Pacific to source directly from local farmers and showcase the richness of our island’s produce to delegates from the Philippines and around the world,” Lacson said during the event’s opening ceremony on November 19.
The gathering — hosted by the Bacolod City government and co-organized with the provincial government — was purposely aligned with the 18th Negros Island Organic Farmers’ Festival.
Despite the low sales, Lacson acknowledged that Terra Madre generated positive outcomes in terms of tourism, attracting international visitors and local tourists interested in the province’s culinary and cultural offerings.
The provincial government allotted P6 million to support the hosting of Terra Madre Asia and Pacific.
Lacson said the event is set to return to Negros Occidental in 2027, giving the province an opportunity to reassess its strategy, strengthen coordination among organizers, and ensure that local farmers benefit more meaningfully in the next iteration./CJ, WDJ