Department of Agriculture (DA) continues to achieve its goal to attain and sustain rice self-sufficiency. This will not be made possible without the support of the agriculture workforce implementing programs for the farmers on the field specifically in improving the rice production.

Their invaluable contribution is recognized through DA’s Rice Achievers Awards. It is an annual event organized to laud the outstanding local government units (LGUs), irrigators associations (IAs), small water impounding systems associations (SWISAs), agricultural extension workers (AEW), and local farmer technicians (LFT) for their significant contributions to the rice industry. This is to encourage commitment and ensure excellent performance of the LGU stakeholders for their respective functions and responsibilities.

This year the LGU- Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte is among of the outstanding municipality recognized by the department. The support and efforts of the unit in addressing the plight of smallholder rice farmers is admirable.

The success of the municipality being an awardee is attributed to the collaborative efforts of the national, provincial and municipal government in implementing program and projects for rice farming. The municipality has an average yield of 4.21 metric tons per hectare for irrigated areas and 3.90 metric tons per hectare for rainfed for the last two years.

The various agriculture assistance and the on-going efforts of the LGU made them a strong partner of the DA. Around 475 rice farmers were assisted with their initiated local rice programs. First on their initiatives is the Kitcharao Rice Enhancement Support Program (KRESP). It is a financial assistance program for the rice farmer that offers zero interest rate. This is an initiative to eliminate financiers and loan sharks who take advantage of their local farmers in their municipality.

In addition to their support, Subsidized Palay Seed for farmers Economic Enhancement and Development (SEED-Plus) Program was implemented. The initiated program was designed to provide affordable quality high yielding rice seeds.

The serviceable Kitcharao’s Municipal Agriculture Production Center also contributes to the LGU’s commitment for farmers’ prosperity and productivity as this serves as a production center for excellence in agriculture showcasing the latest agricultural innovations and modern farming technologies.

Nevertheless, this year the fourth class municipality set aside at least 1% of its internal revenue allotment in support to agriculture or an equivalent to ₱ 1.6 million. The budget allocated reveals the dedication of the LGU to develop the agriculture sector of the municipality.

With the exemplary efforts of LGU-Kitcharao, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol and Senator Cynthia Villar personally handed their award as National Rice Achievers Awardee – Municipal Category last May 31, 2018, at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Roxas Boulevard, Manila. They received ₱1 million worth of agri-related projects.

Further, Obong Irrigators Association from Brgy. Burgos, Cortes Surigao del Sur also received a special citation for the Mindanao Cluster – SWISA Category. The association received ₱100,000 cash prize from DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management.

While Baleguian Organic Farmers Irrigators Association Inc., from Baleguian, Jabonga Agusan del Norte hailed as Outstanding Irrigators Association for Mindanao Cluster. The group received ₱500,000 worth of project from the National Irrigation Administration.

On the other hand, DA-Caraga also recognized 11 outstanding AEW’s these were: Jocelyn T. Paloma (Kitcharao, Adn); Basilisa C. Huera (Buenavista, Adn); Aimee C. Campanilla (Trento, Ads); Engr. Myla M. Blanco (Cantilan, Sds); Agnes C. Alcazar, Thelma A. Burgos, Nestor J. Fuentes, Yazmin A. Aparicio, Merilyn M. Laureciana, Joan B. Dela Torre, and Segundina O. Ayag (Butuan City).

For the LFT category, Merly A. Perez (Loreto, Ads) and Noel A. Loquinte (San Francisco, Ads) were also included as one of the national awardees. Each AEW and LFT will receive ₱20,000 cash award to be awarded by the DA regional office. (Rhea C. Abao – DA Caraga Information Section)