THE Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), will honor Friday, August 17, 108 local farmers during the 2nd Food Production Heroes Assembly at the Capitol’s Social Hall in Bacolod City.
Dina Genzola, provincial supervising agriculturist, said Thursday, August 16, that the awardees were already recognized especially by the Provincial Government before for their accomplishments in the field of agriculture.
Genzola said some are even recipients of regional and national awards, who have become influencers and leaders in their respective communities. Portions of their farms were already considered as model areas.
“Being food producer heroes, we are positioning them as a role model to their fellow farmers in the province,” she said, adding that “through this activity, we also want to assess their development and what impact they have already brought to the community.”
Themed “Baganihan sa Kaumahan: Pagdaug sa Kabudlayan, Paghakos sa Kadalag-an,” the activity will also be attended by officials of the Department of Agriculture in Western Visayas, Agriculture Training Institute, and Provincial Government headed by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr.
Genzola said some of the awardees have been actively involved in various agriculture development activities in the province like speaking in different schools and institutions, organizing farmers, children and students in the community, and serving as adjusters for crop insurance program, among others.
During the activity, awardees with inspiring stories will be giving testimonies to encourage fellow farmers to further improve and become a positive contributor to the overall development of the province’s agriculture industry.
Among them are Antonio Jesus Orbida for coconut and integrated farming, Richard Aquino for fisherfolk development, and Johnic dela Cruz for high-value crops.
“These heroes are already part of our development. We want to spur more inspirations to our other farmers through them,” Genzola said, adding that “we hope that the best practices of our awardees will be replicated among themselves and their fellow farmers.”
The awardees will be receiving farm inputs like seeds, Genzola also said.
“Aside from the recognition, the assembly will also give food production heroes the venue to talk about other opportunities they can explore which the government can assist,” she added.