IN receives top rice producer award

ILOCOS Norte Gov. Imee R. Marcos receives the trophy and check worth P4 million from Agriculture Sec. Proceso J. Alcala and National Rice Program Coordinator and acting Usec. For Field Operations Dante S. Delima on March 14 in Pasay City. Also in the photo are (from left) provincial agriculturist Norma Lagmay, Delima, Marcos, and Alcala. (Photo Courtesy of PGIN-OPAG)

By Jennifer T. Pambid

PGIN-CMO

THE ILOCOS Norte government, represented by Gov. Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos received the trophy and a check worth P4 million from Agriculture Sec. Proceso J. Alcala and National Rice Program Coordinator and acting Usec. for Field  Operations Dante S. Delima on March 14 at the Resorts World Manila as one of the top 12 Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers in the country for its commitment in attaining high rice self-sufficiency.

This is the second time, Ilocos Norte was recognized as a top rice producer in the award launched on 2011 by the Department of Agriculture. T

The Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers Awards aims to encourage the full support and participation of local government units (LGUs), irrigators’ associations (IAs), small water impounding systems associations (SWISAs) and agricultural extension workers (AEWs) and to recognize their efforts and contribution in prioritizing rice-related projects, using quality seeds and appropriate technologies for attaining high rice sufficiency in the Philippines.

Laoag City and the municipality of Vintar are also included in the list of Top 48 Rice Producing Cities and Municipalities and were awarded P1 million-worth check each.

“Behind the outstanding performance of the province are outstanding personalities,” provincial agriculturist Norma Lagmay said, referring to 12 Ilocanos included in the list of National Outstanding Extension Workers in the Philippines who received P20,000 each.

Among the AEW awardees are Lagmay, provincial rice coordinator Dr. Lus Tabora, Laoag City agriculturist Oscar Recta, Josephine Aljon of Laoag City, Generosa Blas of Vintar, Ofelia Agbayani of Vintar, Menchie Tolentino and Celestina Rivera of Bacarra, Merilyn Gappi of Batac, Manama Ganon of Batac, San Nicolas Municipal Agriculture Officer Norma Calamayan and Rachel Aguilar.

Lagmay disclosed that the P4 million will be used to purchase hybrid seeds and fertilizers to sustain the province’s rice production and gradually cut the province’s dependence on rice importation.

Although 1.65% lower than the yields on 2012 due to typhoon damages, the 286% rice sufficiency recorded in Ilocos Norte for 2013 surpassed the target production of the province by 183%.

Stressing the agricultural advantage of the province in boosting the provincial economy during her State of the Province Address (SOPA) on 2013, Ms. Marcos encourages every Ilocano especially the farmers to take part in achieving sustainable rice production as well as the overall transformational growth of Ilocos Norte.

Other winning provinces include Pangasinan, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Kalinga, Bulacan, Laguna, Bukidnon, Lanao Del Norte, North Cotabato and Mindoro Occidental.