DAVAO CITY – The Province of Davao Oriental bagged this year’s National Rice Achievers Award for its significant contributions to the rice industry.
The award was conferred by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar in the awarding ceremony held via a live teleconference at the Department of Agriculture Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) Office in Quezon City, Manila, on Friday, November 27.
In 2019 Davao Oriental was also adjudged as one of the Country’s top rice producers.
In a statement, Davao Oriental Agriculture Office Head Rotchie Ravelo said that this is the fourth year the province was hailed as a national awardee, the third, second, and first was in 2018, 2015, and 2014, respectively.
Eight other provinces including Davao del Norte were also conferred with Rice Achievers Awards by the DA – Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Cagayan and Bukidnon for Provinces Category A, and Zambales.
In 2019, Davao Oriental exceeded the national average production target of 4.28 metric tons per hectare as the province hit an average yield of 4.51 metric tons per hectare. With this, the province was able to contribute 0.38 percent to the country’s total rice production.
Ravelo said that the boost in rice production is also attributed to the local government’s interventions which include the provision of services ranging from technology and extension, production support, credit and financing, provision of agri-infrastructure, machinery, and marketing support.
Along with the recognition, the two provinces also received P4 million worth of rice production related projects.
The Municipality of Banaybanay, Davao Oriental also received the award and two irrigator’s associations — Poblacion Banaybanay Division A Pilot Irrigators Association and Taytayan Irrigators Association.
They also received P1 million each as a cash incentive.
The province aims to increase the areas planted to rice and achieve 90 percent rice self-sufficiency by 2022.
It also targeted to improve its rice productivity and increase the income of farmers.
Currently, Davao Oriental has a potential area of 20,000 hectares for rice production.
The province has also been a top performer in the agriculture sector producing Gawad Saka Agri-Achievers over the years consisting of farmers and PAGRI (Provincial Agriculture) employees who received special distinction for their excellent performance and dedication in their respective fields.
Governor Nelson Dayanghirang commended the farmers of his province who, through their toils and efforts, feed the people as he vowed to remain steadfast in helping the farmers.
Under his administration, the provincial government has provided a subsidy to farmers in terms of the planting and provision of fertilizers and pesticides, among others. Courtesy of Ruth Palo/News Fort
