THE Office of the Provincial Agricultist (OPA) remained upbeat that farmer-nominees from Negros Occidental will bag various national awards from the Department of Agriculture (DA) this year.
Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino said on Monday that with the current good agricultural practices of Negrense farmers, they are hopeful that the province will again emerge as national winners in the annual Gawad Saka and Organic Agriculture Achievers Awards.
Three finalists from the province are vying for this year’s search.
They are Merlina Española of Isabela as Outstanding Corn Farmer; Richard Aquino of Manapla as Outstanding Fisherfolk (Capture Fisheries Category); and the local government of Hinoba-an as Outstanding Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council.
For the National Organic Agriculture Achievers Award, Jerry Dionson of Bago City is again vying for Outstanding National Organic Farmer in Small Farmer Category.
Dionson, who has been practicing integrated organic farming for almost 15 years, received the same award last year.
He was also a recipient of the Gawad Saka Award in Outstanding Organic Farmer in 2016.
“Negros Occidental has been a home to potential winners of these competitions,” Masculino said, adding that these recognition cements the province’s strong efforts in developing its agriculture industry.
Representatives from attached agencies of the DA met with Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City on Monday.
The team headed by Sonia Salguero, deputy director of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), will conduct the field validation for the Gawad Saka finalists.
The Gawad Saka is a national search for outstanding achievers in the fields of agriculture and fisheries that honors the contribution of agricultural sector in the country’s economic performance.
The National Organic Agriculture Achievers Award is a competition that recognizes organic agriculture development initiatives.
“These awards are also a validation of the province’s status as leader of organic agriculture,” Masculino said.