CAVITE, Philippines — Officials in Cavite launched Friday the Organic Agriculture Festival to further promote organic farming and products in the province. The unprecedented event was held at the Capitol grounds in Trece Martires City.

The festival was an offshoot of the Cavite Agri Fest and Farmers Congress that was held at the Capitol Gymnasium last January 19 and 20.

The theme of the twin event was “Organikong Pagsasaka Tungo sa Maunlad na Agrikultura” (Organic Farming Towards a Progressive Agriculture.)

Organic farming is a crop cultivation that uses biological methods of fertilization and pest control as substitutes for chemical fertilizers and pesticides which are reportedly harmful to the health and environment.

The weekend festival was conducted to show the best organic produce of Cavite as well as encourage farmers and entrepreneurs in Cavite to turn to organic agriculture.

The ongoing organic farming campaign in Cavite has gained results as many farmers and entrepreneurs are now using the cultivation scheme..

Officials said that there are now 10,000 farmers in 20,000 hectare lands of the province engaged in organic agriculture.

The festival was launched in a ceremony led by Cavite’s 7th District Representative Jesus Crispin C. Remulla at the Capitol grounds Friday morning. The event was organized by the provincial administration, Cavite Modern Growers and other organizations.

The event showcased the organic produce of Cavite such as coffee, rice, corn, root crops, vegetables, coconut, pineapple, singkang, and other fruits spices and herbs, mushrooms, and legumes and ornamental plants.

The provincial administration is doing everything to uplift the agricultural business in Cavite which has virtually turned into an industrialized province through the years.

Cavite is the most populated province in the country. There are over 3.3 million people living in the province's four cities and 19 towns.

There are at least 46 economic zones and 798 industrial establishments in the upland and lowland districts of the province. Industrialization started to boom in Cavite during the 14-year term of Governor Juanito R. Remulla starting in 1980.

Both incumbent Governor Juanito Victor "Jonvic" Remulla and his congressman-brother vowed to prioritize agriculture during their term.