Isabela tops regional Gawad Saka search

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Isabela topped the regional Gawad Saka, a Department of Agriculture (DA)-led yearly search for local government units with outstanding achievements in agriculture.

The country’s leading agricultural province, Isabela brought home the honor after winning 10 of the 21 awards for its agriculture achievers in last week’s awarding rites held in Cagayan’s Tuguegarao City, the government center of Cagayan Valley.

Dr. Lucrecio Alviar Jr., DA regional director, said Isabela’s feat was a manifestation of the provincial government’s strong regard for its farmers and their welfare and for being able to maintain its agricultural productivity despite the onslaught of typhoons.

Farmers from Isabela have been adjudged most outstanding in the fields of rice, corn, coconut and fish farming systems, as well as in raising small animals.

Two other farmers from the province were also named this year’s outstanding agricultural scientist and agriculture entrepreneur.

Besides plaques of recognition, the farmer awardees also received P20,000 each as cash incentives.   

Likewise, under the group category, the Rural Improvement Club (RIC) of Alicia’s Santo Domingo village, and the Payoga-Kapatagan Multipurpose Cooperative of Gamu town were also named as the region’s outstanding RIC and organic agriculture organization.

“These awards are in recognition of our farmers for maintaining the food sufficiency level of the province. Their perseverance also helped in ensuring the food security of the country despite the typhoons that have hit us since late last year,” said Isabela Gov. Faustino Dy III. 

A perennial agriculture achiever, Isabela is the country’s number one corn-producing province and second to Nueva Ecija in palay production.

The Gawad Saka, which was started in the 1970s, recognizes the efforts of farmers and fisherfolk as major partners of the government in sustaining food security and nation-building.