BACOLOD CITY, Nov 27 (PNA) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) are discussing efforts to expand organic sugar production in Negros Occidental.
Alcala, who was here for the 12th National Organic Agriculture Congress (NOAC) that ended Friday, said that Negros Occidental, having sugarcane as a major crop, has really a big potential for organic sugar and has the capacity to compete in the international market.
“Along with the SRA, we are encouraging sugar planters in the province to go organic and take advantage of the premium product with competitive market price,” he said.
Andre Leu, president of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), who was the keynote speaker at the NOAC being hosted by Negros Occidental, said that the province amid its emerging organic agriculture industry has still a lot of potential opportunities to explore.
He said that with sugar, Negros should take advantage by expanding its production of organic sugar which has a market value five times higher than the world price.
Negros Occidental produces about 60 percent of the country’s sugar output.(PNA)