THE Department of Agriculture-Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) has submitted 11 entries from Negros Occidental for the 2016 Gawad Saka Award, a national search for outstanding achievers in the fields of agriculture and fisheries.
The annual search is aimed at honoring the invaluable contribution of the agricultural sector in the country’s economic performance, including farmers, fisherfolk, livestock raisers, farmers’ organizations, agri-entrepreneurs, and scientists.
It also provides farmers the opportunity to showcase their best farming practices geared towards a modernized and equitable agriculture.
Based on the list of entries submitted to the DA Central Office, Aurora Barredo of Fedrico’s Island Wine in Barangay 9, Victorias City will represent Negros Occidental in the Outstanding Agricultural Entrepreneur category.
The province will be represented by Crisanto Umba of Barangay Quezon, San Carlos City in the Outstanding Integrated Rice Farmer category; Wilfredo de los Reyes of Barangay Robles, La Castellana, Outstanding Integrated Corn Farmer category; Francisco Chan Jr. of Barangay Bagonbon, San Carlos City, Outstanding High Value Crops Farmer category; and Jerry Dionson of Barangay Busay, Bago City, Outstanding Organic Farmer category.
Johnic de la Cruz of Barangay San Pablo, Manapla is the province’s entry for the Outstanding Young Farmer category while the Binubuhan Youth Organization from Barangay Binubuhan, Bago City, for Outstanding Young Farmer category.
Other entries are Hacienda Asuncion Taborda RIC in Barangay Robles, La Castellana, for Outstanding Rural Improvement Club category; San Carlos AFC, Outstanding Agriculture and Fishery Council; Codcod Agrarian Reform Community Cooperative of San Carlos City, Outstanding Small Farmer Organization; and Bonifacio Villarena and family of Barangay Patag, Silay City, Outstanding Farmer Family.
Joyce Wendam, officer-in-charge executive director of DA-NIR, said the province’s entries, who were chosen from the list of Pasidungog sa Panguma winners awarded in the last Panaad sa Negros Festival, are potential winners for the annual national search.
Wendam said the agency aims to shortlist the province’s entries for the top three, who will then undergo ground level evaluation and final assessment by the evaluation committee from the DA Central Office.
“On top of project grants, cash rewards, and other incentives, excelling in the competition is a big boost to the agriculture industry of the province and the region as well,” Wendam said, adding that it will also serve as a motivation for the NIR to sustain its good agricultural practices.
She also said that having numerous entries means the local agriculture sector is working, which is an accomplishment in itself.
“It could be the best accomplishment for NIR if the entries from the province will make it as national winners,” she added.