Iloilo: The 2025 National Vegetable Congress is set to highlight Western Visayas, focusing on positioning Iloilo as a multi-agricultural food hub. The three-day event will take place from November 5 to 7 in the Municipality of Barotac Nuevo and is organized by the Panay Organization for Progressive Agriculture (POPA) Agriculture Cooperative in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DA). It is expected to attract around 1,500 participants from across the nation.
According to Philippines News Agency, Larry Nacionales, chair of the POPA Agriculture Cooperative, emphasized the ambition of establishing Iloilo as a multi-commodity province. He expressed a desire for the congress to leave a legacy of Iloilo being recognized as the multi-agricultural food hub of Western Visayas. During the launch event in the Mandurriao district, Nacionales acknowledged the ambition as challenging but achievable through collective effort.
DA Regional Technical Director for Operations, Ma. Teresa Solis, noted the region's current insufficiency in vegetable supply, with imports coming from Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro, and Benguet. She expressed hope that the congress would enlighten farmers and consumers about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, advocating for increased vegetable consumption. Solis also suggested incorporating discussions on health and wellness into the conference agenda.
Nacionales highlighted the region's capacity to produce only 20 to 30 percent of its vegetable requirements, with the remainder being sourced externally. He encouraged local government units to send farmers to the congress to explore market opportunities. Additionally, Nacionales announced a regional action planning workshop aimed at establishing a unified Vegetable Industry Roadmap. He stressed the importance of revisiting and potentially revising existing laws that support the industry.
The congress will feature farm visits in Iloilo, providing participants with hands-on learning experiences in agricultural innovations. The event is themed 'Innovative. Resilient. Sustainable. Market-Ready: Revitalizing the Vegetable Industry for a Food-Secure Bagong Pilipinas.'
