DA honors top rice producers

THE Department of Agriculture is set to honor the country’s top achievers in rice production in the first-ever 2011 Agri- Pinoy Rice Achievers’ Awards on February 10, 2012 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Manila.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala will lead the ceremonies to award P4 million worth of agricultural projects each to the top 10 rice producing provinces, and P1 million worth of similar projects to the top 50 municipalities and 10 irrigators’ associations (IAS).

Some 157 Agricultural Extension Workers ( AEWS) will also be awarded with P20,000 in cash each in recognition of their efforts to boost rice production.

The 10 winning provinces are: Ilocos Norte, Mindoro Oriental, Mindoro Occidental, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Southern Leyte, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Agusan del Sur, and Surigao del Sur.

The winning municipalities and cities include: 12 from Region 2; nine from Region 3; seven from Region 6; six from Region 7; three each from Region 4B, Region 8, and Region 11; two each from Region 10 and Region 13, and one each from the Cordillera Administrative Region, Region 1, and Region 4A.

For agricultural extension workers, a total of 14 will be awarded from the Cordillera Administrative Region, one from Region 1, 19 from Region 2, 29 from Region 3, one from Region 4A, 16 from Region 4B, 32 from Region 6, 10 from Region 7, 18 from Region 8, six from Region 10, nine from Region 11, and two from Region 13.

The contest aims to recognize and encourage the full participation of Local Government Units (LGUS), IAS, and AEWS in rice production and help the country attain rice self –sufficiency by 2013.

It is also aimed at sustaining awareness, support, and commitment to the DA National Rice SelfSufficiency Program which is part of the DA’S flagship food security initiative called the Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP).

President Benigno S. Aquino III has been invited to attend as guest of honor.