PREDA FAIR TRADE HOSTED THE FIRST PHILIPPINE ORGANIC MANGO CONFERENCE

On January 23-25, 2008, Preda Fair Trade spearheaded the historic first Philippine organic mango conference held at Preda Fair Trade Training Center, Olongapo City. It was in partnership with Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agriculture & Fisheries Product Standards & Regional Field Unit-3, Peace & Equity Foundation, Organic Certification Center of the Philippines and Dritte Welt Partners of Germany.

The First Philippine Organic Mango Conference was a gathering of 95 interested mango growers and Agri-based NGOs from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, organic inspection body (OCCP), food processors, traders, exporter and importer from Germany and Fair Trade marketing organizations. Concerned Government agencies like the DTI and experts on integrated organic farming from the NGO sector in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Alex Corpus Hermoso, convener of the First Philippine Organic Mango Conference said, “Kailan pa sisimulan? We have to start somewhere!” as he expressed his best interest to push through organizing the organic mango industry in the country.

Fr Shay Cullen, President of PREDA, also expressed his warm welcome to the participants. He stressed out that there is a remarkable growing market demand for organic products abroad. In relation with PREDA’s advocacy on environment, he mentioned that there are negative effects of using chemical inputs to human health and the natural growth of mango trees as well. “The more you use chemicals to produce, the more mango trees that die every year”, he said. Zambales Governor Atty. Amor Deloso, graced the event and expressed his support as Zambales is known to be the home of the sweetest mango in the world that this industry will be developed in his province.

The Dritte Welt Partner, one of the importing companies in EU, through its general manager, Mr. Thomas Hoyer, presented the growing market demand for organic mango both as fresh fruit and processed mango derivative products such as puree, juice, dried mango, chutney, jams, etc.

The conference became the venue in discussing the systems and procedures of organic farming, quality control, organic Inspection and finally the local and international certification presented by Organic Certification Center of the Philippines (OCCP) who have partnership with CERES and NATURLAND of Germany as the International Inspection and Certification body. The principles and standards of Fair Trade were presented by the Preda Fair Trade Organization, Southern Partners of Fair Trade in Cebu and the International Fair Trade Movement (IFAT) based in the Netherlands with regional forums.

Agri-based NGOs and mango farmers who were present are now very interested to venture into organic mango production and join the existing network of organic mango producers and practitioners to meet the organic demand of the importers in European Union.

To sustain the initiative of the of the First Philippine Organic Mango Conference, a Technical Working Group per island region has been formed and the conference convenor, the Preda Fair Trade has been designated as the secretariat. End

FIRST PHILIPPINE ORGANIC MANGO CONFERENCE PHOTOS

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