www.nisard.org

Negros Island Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Foundation (NISARD Foundation) is a non-stock, non-profit corporation supported by the provincial governments of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental. NISARD’s purpose is to promote sustainable agricultural diversification through organic farming.

The initiatives and support of the two provincial governments have been vital in the creation and success of NISARD. The collaboration commenced with a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by the Provincial Governors, agreeing to a unified approach to sustainable agricultural and rural development for the entire Negros Island. The MOA also asserted that NISARD would be the primary implementation arm for the unified policies of both provinces with regards to sustainable agriculture and rural development, and facilitated the initial funding for NISARD’s establishment.

NISARD is currently implementing a number of projects, and collaborates with various non-government organisations (NGOs) across the Philippines and internationally. Its projects include: an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) and certified organic sugar mill to support exports of high value, niche market produce; an organic certification program that promotes compliance with this and other food quality standards, to ensure produce is globally competitive and; farmer training in sustainable agricultural practices, especially organic agriculture. NISARD is also developing a local fertiliser industry based on composting organic waste products to reduce farm inputs, create new business opportunities and promote integrated agricultural systems. NISARD also works to establish Negros Island as a genetically modified organism free production zone. The vision of NISARD and the provincial local government units is that Negros Island is known as The Organic Food Bowl of Asia. To achieve this, effective marketing strategies need to be implemented.