The cities of Dumaguete and Bais registered the highest number of participants in the 145 trainings conducted on the natural fermented solution and natural and organic farming system in Negros Oriental.

Since the Negros Island Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development started in October 2005, about 2,939 participants in 60 batches have attended the seminars. NISARD was establishjed to strengthen and develop organic farming methods of farmers in Negros Island, in support of the government thrust on minimizing the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Rep. George Arnaiz (Neg.Or. 2^nd District) said organic farming practitioners have dramatically increased because of the continuing education, training and information campaign initiated by NISARD. Local government units that have availed of the natural and organic farming system are Amlan, Bais, Dumaguete, Tanjay City, Dauin, Mabinay, Manjuyod, Pamplona, San Jose and Sibulan.

Another training was conducted on the natural fermented solution in Amlan, Bacolod City, Bacong, Bayawan, Bindoy, Dauin, Guihulngan, Jimalalud, La Libertad, Mabinay, Manjuyod, Pamplona, San Jose, Siaton, Sibulan, Santa Catalina, Valencia, Zamboanguita, Bais, Dumaguete and Tanjay. Managing trustee Ernesto Quimco of NISARD said they plan to conduct more trainings in the first district starting November 10 in Canlaon City.

NISARD will also disperse hybrid goats for raising and milking to be distributed in the towns of the second district, he added. Rep. Henry Pryde Teves (Neg.Or., 3^rd District) said that NISARD could get additional funding for trainings on organic farming by sourcing some allocation from the Department of Agrarian Reform.