We, NGOs and farmers' organizations of Oriental Negros participating in the Civil Society Consultation-Workshop on Negros Organic Island held February 9 and 10, 2005 in Dumaguete City, express our common vision towards the realization of the Negros Organic Island, which has been declared by the Provincial Governments of Oriental Negros and Negros Occidental. We recognize that sustainable organic agriculture is the appropriate direction and strategy to adopt in order to address problems of rural poverty, economic underdevelopment, food insecurity, health deterioration and environmental degradation that continue to affect the people of Negros Island. However, we believe that the vision of the Negros Organic Island must be guided by the basic principles of sustainable agriculture, such as, environment friendly, cultural appropriateness, social justice, economic viability, holistic science, gender sensitivity, and appropriate technology.

In more specific terms, we envision the Negros Organic Island to be realized through adoption of the following goals and strategies in key areas:

Stakeholder Unification

Leveling off and unification of stakeholders behind a sustainable organic agriculture framework to guide the Negros Organic Island initiative and by developing effective mechanisms for multi-stakeholder coordination and cooperation based on principles of transparency and people's participation

Production

Enhancement, dissemination and adoption of sustainable organic agriculture technologies and practices for various crops and livestock in accordance with community-based internal quality control system of organic standards

Processing

Maximization and enhancement of the value of organic products and resources through processing, product development and packaging that will further improve the marketability and economic viability of organic production

Promotion

Intensification and mainstreaming of the promotion of organic products throughout the island and outside in order to raise consumer awareness, expand the market and make information available regarding supply and demand of organic products

Marketing

Development of alternative markets and channels for organic products both for local and outside markets in order to meet and sustain consumer demand, promote greater access to organic products, and ensure just pricing mechanisms for both organic producers and consumers

Support system

Development and establishment of support services for organic agriculture such as credit access, post harvest facilities, and other inputs to ensure sustainability and viability of organic production

Institutional Mechanisms

Institutionalization of the participation and capacity building of different stakeholders, especially farmers, in the formulation, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of sustainable organic agriculture policies and programs from island-wide to provincial, municipal and barangay levels through the setting up of Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development Boards or similar committees and bodies at all levels that will be responsible for overseeing and ensuring the operationalization of the Negros Organic Island

Policies and Legislation

Adoption of policies and legislation through participatory processes, as well as allocation of budgets and resources, that will support and strengthen the vision of Negros Organic Island such as enactment of ordinance prohibiting genetically modified organisms (GMOs), institutionalization of Internal Quality Control System (IQCS) for organic standards, prioritization of support to agrarian reform beneficiaries in conversion to sustainable organic agriculture, and enforcement of environmental laws essential to protecting the environment and natural resources of Negros Island.

In this regard, we commit ourselves, our constituencies and communities to actively work for the realization of a genuine Negros Organic Island as our contribution for the attainment of sustainable development for the people of Negros Island.