By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff reporter
LAOAG CITY—The Dept. of Agriculture is set to recognize 10 outstanding performers in agriculture and fisheries on October 12, 2018 on the Regional Gawad Saka awarding ceremonies in San Fernando City, La Union.
“Of the 16 nominees from Ilocos Norte, at least 10 of them emerged as regional winners in various categories,” said Dr. Luz Tabora, Ilocos Norte assistant provincial agriculturist.
Leading this year’s Regional Gawad Saka awardees are Romeo Ganiron and son Johnlei from Batac City. The Ganirons of Brgy. Ben- village claimed the 2018 award for outstanding rice farmer and young farmer representing the 4-H Club of the Philippines.
Other regional winners from Ilocos Norte who will also receive plaques of recognition, certificates and cash prizes are: Gilbert Pasion of Solsona, outstanding large animal raiser, Domingo La Torre of Pasuquin, outstanding fisherfolk under fish capture category, Bagumbayan Multipurpose Cooperative in Laoag as outstanding small farmer organization, Mr. and Mrs. Dominador Ignacio of Barangay Navotas-B, Laoag City as outstanding farm family, outstanding Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Council in San Nicolas town, Edita Dacuycuy of Burgos as outstanding agricultural entrepreneur, Lolita Agluba of San Nicolas as outstanding rural woman and Liza Domingo of Solsona as outstanding extension worker.
Dr. Tabora said the province is lucky to have the greatest number of regional awardees this year compared to the provinces of Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan.
The search for Gawad Saka is an annual activity being conducted by the Department of Agriculture in partnership with the local government units and private sector to give due recognition to farmers, fisherfolk and people’s groups whose exemplary contributions to the agricultural development of the region serve as an inspiration to others.
The search is composed of three main categories: individual, commodity and organization.
The sub-categories under the organization category are: small farmer/fisherfolk organization, young farmer organization, Rural Improvement Club, Barangay Food Terminal, Municipal and Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council.
The individual categories also include the young farmer/fisherfolk, agricultural entrepreneur, agricultural scientist and researcher.
There were also awardees under the commodity category such as on rice, corn, high value crops, organic agriculture, animal raiser and fisherfolk on fish culture and capture.