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[av_heading heading=’Farmers’ group DA prize nat’l finalist ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY RESEL JOY TIANERO
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ILOILO – A farmers’ organization in Oton town was a national finalist in the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Gawad Saka Award.
The Southern Iloilo Area Multipurpose Cooperative (SIAMPC) was recognized as Outstanding Small Farmers’ Organization in the regional level.
Through Gawad Saka, the DA “seeks to recognize the contribution of Filipino farmers, fisherfolk, small farmers’/irrigators’ associations, agri-entrepreneurs, researchers, scientists, and councils to the country’s economic and agricultural development,” said Regional Executive Director Remelyn Recoter.
The national screening committee headed by Norman William Kraft, director of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council, as chairman field-validated the SIAMPC in August.
SIAMPC manager Celestial Tollosa said the cooperative was organized by 73 “Samahang Nayons” on May 22, 1981.
It operates not only in Oton but in Tigbauan, Guimbal, Miag-ao, and San Joaquin towns; Iloilo City; and the island province of Guimaras as well.
Aside from the SIAMPC, the DA Region 6 also recognized as Gawad Saka regional awardees an agri-entrepreneur, a corn farmer and an agriculture and fishery council in a ceremony on Oct. 6 at Punta Villa Resort in Arevalo, Iloilo City.
Rebecca Tubongbanua, owner of McNester Food Products in Buenavista, Guimaras, was this year’s regional Outstanding Agri-entrepreneur, while Myrna Reyes of the component city of Passi was cited as Outstanding Corn Farmer.
The Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Council (MAFC) of New Lucena was the Outstanding Agriculture and Fishery Council.
Tubongbanua and Reyes received a P30,000 cash prize and a P25,000 project prize each.
The SIAMPC and the MAFC-New Lucena, on the other hand, were given a P50,000 cash prize and a P25,000 project prize. Their agricultural extension workers also received P15,000.
“We are hoping that from their efforts, other farmers and fisherfolk will be inspired to take the (same) path and that by 2017, we may increase the number of regional awardees,” said Recoter.
She also encouraged local government units and agricultural groups in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo to start scouting for outstanding stakeholders that may compete in Gawad Saka’s 21 categories. (With reports from Shiela Mae Toreno, DA-6/PN)
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