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Friday, March 29, 2024

Solsona is Ilocos’ top rice producer

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Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee R. Marcos joined Solsona Town Mayor Alexander Calucag in receiving the 2016 National Rice Achiever award from the Department of Agriculture–Regional Agriculture and Fishery Extension Network 1 on Wednesday for being one of the top rice-producing municipalities in the Philippines.

Calucag received a plaque of recognition along with a check for P1 million.

Also an agriculturist, the mayor assured his constituents the cash prize will be used for the continuing benefit of farmers. “We will buy seeds and fertilizer for our fields with this prize,” he said.

The Province of Ilocos Norte has also received the “Outstanding Rice Producer” title yearly since 2014.

Luz L. Tabora, provincial rice program coordinator of the Provincial Agriculture Office, said prior cash prizes received from the awards, amounting to P4 million, were used to sustain agricultural projects and intensify farming systems throughout the province.

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“These projects are continuing. Our farmers are using these funds for their rice planting. They will be given hybrid seeds, organic and inorganic fertilizers for their fields. They could also receive rice-fish culture technology,” she said.

Last year, the province was also named by the DA as one of the Agri-Pinoy Rice Achiever Awardees for achieving rice sufficiency for the year 2015 with a 2.16 percent increase in rice production.

At the same symposium, Marcos also urged participants of the event to maintain their efforts in promoting agriculture and entrepreneurship.

“I hope that with the help of the Department, we’ll continue to transform Northern Philippines into the same agriculture and entrepreneurial hub that is Central Luzon,” the governor said.

She also cited the “Agri-Negosyo” program of Senator Cynthia A. Villar, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, as an example of utilizing both new and conventional strategies to promote the country’s agricultural products.

“Seeing a lot of our farm products go to waste, or perhaps sold at meeker and seasonal prices, is to see the misery that farmer’s life can be today. However, we have seen also great commercial experiments and entrepreneurs of enthusiasm who have shown the way for agricultural businesses for the future.

“I hope that with the ‘Agri-Negosyo’ inspiration of Senator Villar, we can keep gathering together to plant good businesses based on agriculture,” Marcos added.

RAFEN also launched the Kapatid Agri-Monitoring Program and the Directory Guide of Ilocandia, which includes learning sites, school of practical agriculture, farm tourism sites, and private extension service providers in the Ilocos region.

The event also featured an expo showcasing agricultural products throughout the region including plants, poultry products, and cow milk processed goods, among others.

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