Iloilo city: A two-day convention here starting Thursday is looking to link farmers from this highly urbanized city with hotels, restaurants, and other establishments as their market. City Agriculturist I±igo Garingalao stated that the first Farmer's Congress, organized by the local government and More Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power) and participated by farmer leaders, was conceptualized to raise awareness that Iloilo City still has agricultural areas.

According to Philippines News Agency, Garingalao emphasized the importance of reviving discussions on how high-end hotels and restaurants can source their ingredients directly from local farmers. He noted that key challenges include managing the volume and quality of products, establishing payment schemes, and organizing delivery logistics. The intended outcome of this initiative is to enhance farmers' livelihoods and provide fresher produce to consumers.

This effort aims to guide the City Agriculturist Office and the Department of Agriculture in determining necessary interventions. Iloilo City boasts nearly 250 hectares of farming area dedicated to rice, vegetables, or integrated farming. Over 200 of the city's more than 500 farmers specialize in vegetable farming, with numbers increasing during the summer and 'ber' months.

MORE Power chief operating officer Paul Almedilla highlighted the city's thriving agricultural sector and reiterated their ongoing support for farmers, which started with seed donations. He expressed hope that linking farmers with establishments like the Iloilo Hotels, Restaurants, and Resorts Association would strengthen farm-to-table connections and sustain the city's status as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.

The convention coincided with the regular Merkado Lokal, an event where local farmers sell their produce twice a month, further promoting direct market access for the farming community.