Negros Island confronts growing threat of food fraud in organic farming

BACOLOD, Philippines – In the Department of Agriculture (DA), a campaign is underway to combat an insidious issue threatening the integrity of the nation’s organic farming sector: food fraud.

For all the buzz surrounding the rise of organic farming in the country, the agriculture department is confronting the fraudulent labeling of conventional agricultural products as organic, which remains one of its most persistent and damaging challenges.

The stakes are high. Organic food fraud doesn’t just deceive consumers; it strikes at the very heart of the government’s Organic Agriculture Program (OAP), a flagship initiative aimed at fostering sustainable farming practices and safeguarding public health. Left unchecked, fraud undermines trust in both the organic market and the broader movement toward sustainable agriculture.

Ariel Guides, president of Alter Trade Foundation, known for muscovado production on Negros Island, said they adhere to organic and fair trade principles in exporting muscovado sugar to international markets. However, Guides pointed out that certain groups in Negros are engaging in the muscovado export business while falsely claiming to practice organic farming.

“This is a complete betrayal and disgrace to Negros’ stature and reputation in the organic farming world,” Guides said.

Negros Island, dubbed as the “Organic Farming Capital” of the Philippines, has actively promoted organic farming for 17 years, an initiative spearheaded by the late Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. Yet, as the island pushes forward, Guides urged government agencies to tackle the growing problem of food fraud by holding those who misrepresent their farming practices accountable.

Albert Barrogo, officer-in-charge of the DA-Negros Island Region, said they are taking steps to address the issue. For one, he said, the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS), supported by the Organic Certification Center of the Philippines (OCCP), is working to ensure food safety and quality.

Founded in 2018, the OCCP is an independent body responsible for inspecting and certifying food, agricultural inputs, and products in the country. 

However, Barrogo acknowledged several challenges in promoting organic farming in the region, including limited funding for necessary inputs like soil amendments, seeds, biocontrol agents, and organic feeds, as well as a lack of accredited laboratories to test soil, tissue samples, pathogens, and heavy metals.

While organic farming receives annual funding from the national government, Barrogo said these resources are insufficient to encourage broader adoption among Filipino farmers.

“Organic farming isn’t just about producing agricultural products – it’s about improving soil quality, biodiversity, and animal welfare,” Barrogo said. However, he pointed out that the process of transitioning to organic farming is both tedious and costly.

Due to these financial constraints, only a small number of farmers on the island have embraced organic farming. Furthermore, organic farm inputs and produce must undergo stringent certification processes to comply with national standards, which raises costs and makes organic products more expensive than their conventional counterparts.

Organic farming fest

On Tuesday, November 19, the region kicked off the 17th Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival (NIOFF) at North Capitol Road in Bacolod City, showcasing organic farm produce from various localities across Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental. 

The festival, which merged with the 2nd Terra Madre Visayas event featuring a slow food exhibition, will run until Saturday, November 23.

As part of its push to elevate organic farming, Negros Occidental is also vying to host the 2027 Organic World Congress, organized by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM). The province is competing with Brisbane, Australia, for the hosting rights. – Rappler.com