Valladolid one of top rice producers in PH

BACOLOD City – Valladolid town in Negros Occidental was recognized as one of the outstanding rice municipalities and cities in the Philippines during the 2016 Rice Achievers Awards of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Valladolid was the only local government unit ( LGU) in Negros Island Region and Western Visayas cited in the search initiated by the DA’s Agricultural Training Institute.

The awarding rites were held on May 23 at the Philippine I nternational Convention Center in Pasay City.

DA-Negros regional director Joyce Wendam, who joined the delegation from Negros Occidental, said Valladolid was recognized for the improvement in its yield and huge contribution to local rice production.

Mayor Enrique Miravalles, Wendam and Acting Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino received t he P1- million check and trophy from DA undersecretaries Segfredo Serrano, Ariel Cayanan and Ranibai Dilangalen.

Wendam said Valladolid had an average yield of 4.8 tons per hectare in 2016, higher than its yield in the previous years.

In total volume production, Valladolid yielded 705,483 bags (31,746.73 metric tons) last year, with 6,655 hectares planted for two and a half cropping seasons.

“This is the first time a municipality from the youngest region in the country won a national award in the field of agriculture development,” Wendam said.

Other awardees were Luna town in Apayao province; Solsona i n I l ocos Norte; Santiago City in Isabela; Victoria in Tarlac; Pila in Laguna; Paluan in Occidental Mindoro; Ligao City in Albay; Talibon in Bohol; Hinundayan in Southern Leyte; Bayog i n Zamboanga del Sur; Lala in Lanao del Norte; Hagonoy in Davao del Sur; Lambayong in Sultan Kudarat; and Prosperidad in Agusan del Sur. (