Three local government units (LGUs) from the Davao region will be honored in the Department of Agriculture’s Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers Awards (APRAA) to be held on March 26, 2015  at the Resorts World Performing Arts in Pasay City

Making it in the top ten rice-producing provinces in the country, thus being entitled recognition in the APRAA, are the provinces of Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.

Other awardees from the region include Banaybanay, Davao Oriental as outstanding municipality; San Isidro Farmers Association as outstanding irrigators association; and Albatana B. Malabis of Davao del Norte and Noli S. Bingan of Davao del Sur as outstanding local farmer technicians.

The APRAA will also recognize agricultural extension workers, namely, Ester M. Solamo, Kris Royd M. Caburnay, Aurora V. Sombadon and Wennie P. Cantiga from Banaybanay Davao Oriental; Gina B. Amihan and Maryjane T. Haom from Mawab, Compostela Valley; Narcisa S. Comiling and Bernardo E. Baruiz  from Davao City; Jessie A. Maghuyop and Edgar S. Ado from Tagum City, Davao del Norte; and Vilma S. Araño and  Helen P. Carampatana from Magsaysay, Davao del Sur.

The three provinces will receive P4 million each as cash award, while the outstanding municipality and the two outstanding irrigators association will both receive P1 million. The agricultural extension workers will receive P20,000 each.

During DA’s recent yearend assessment with LGUs, DA-Region 11 Executive Director Remelyn Recoter said that the region has recorded significant increase in rice production from 421,692 MT in 2013 to 452,267 MT in 2014.

Records of the DA regional office also show that the area where rice has been harvested from has increased from 103, 475 hectares in 2013 to 106, 911 hectares in 2014.

"Positive growth rate was noted because we have matched the existing conditions of rice production in their respective areas with appropriate interventions," Recoter said.

Based on data from DA-Region 11, the region has increased its 2014 production by 6.039%, hence ranking third in yield performance in the country. 

“We are hopeful that with the appropriate interventions such as farm mechanization and postharvest facilities, along with strong support from our farmers, local leaders and technicians, the region can continue to increase its rice production and make significant contributions to national production targets,” Recoter said. (Lucille Bocado/ DA 11)