DAVAO ORIENTAL – For being a consistent top performer in terms of rice production and for its continuous support to the province’s rice industry, the Province of Davao Oriental has once again been awarded as a National Rice Achievers Awardee.
Along with the other 10 provinces in the country, Davao Oriental has been adjudged as a national rice achiever primarily because of its high production in rice.
In 2019, Davao Oriental exceeded the national average production target of 4.20 metric tons per hectare as the province’s hit an average yield of 4.31 metric tons per hectare. With this, the province was able to contribute 0.38 percent to the country’s total rice production.
Winning under Category C, which covers provinces with 15,000 to 25,000 hectares planted to rice, Davao Oriental currently has a total of 16,098 hectares of rice swathes which include the irrigated and rainfed areas.
Through the province’s Rice Self Sufficiency Plan, it aims to increase the areas planted and achieve 90 percent rice self-sufficiency by 2022. It also aims to improve its rice productivity and increase the income of farmers. Currently, Davao Oriental has a potential area of 20,000 hectares for rice production.
For bagging this prestigious achievement, Davao Oriental has received a cash incentive of P4 million pesos from the Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Training Institute. The check was handed over by DA-ATI Director Dante Esguerra in a simple program on July 10, 2020, held at the PAGRI Compound in Barangay Matiao in Mati City.
DA-ATI Director Dante Esguerra congratulated the province of Davao Oriental for its achievements. “Just like Davao Oriental, all provinces should be very serious in giving focus to agriculture, specifically in rice production. As a rice country, it is expected that we have a high rice yield. And with our insufficient budget to address all the needs of the agriculture sector, we have to collaborate with the local government units. We are very happy to work with Local Government Units like Davao Oriental who is very active in pursuing all undertakings for all the workers and frontliners in agriculture,” he said.
Provincial Government Department Head Mr. Rotchie Ravelo, who accepted the check, expressed his gratitude as it will be used for rice production-related projects.
“For this, we have a thousand and one reasons to celebrate and be grateful for. We are very proud that Davao Oriental is a consistent awardee,” he said, adding that Davao Oriental farmers have been consistent awardees for their exemplary achievements not only in rice but also corn farming, fish culture, livestock raising, among others.
While Davao Oriental has been a consistent Rice Achievers Awardee at the national level in the years 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2019, it has also been a top performer in the agriculture sector producing Gawad Saka Agri-Achievers over the years consisting of farmers and PAGRI employees who received special distinction for their excellent performance and dedication in their respective fields.
Mr. Ravelo said that these recognitions have also boosted his office’s motivation to further push for more development in the province’s agriculture sector.
“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Provincial Agriculture Office never stopped in delivering their services, reaching even the far-flung barangays. The office has continued its Gulayan program, gardening despite the pandemic, and the distribution of fingerlings to the fisherfolks, and strongly pursuing the rice sufficiency program,” he said.
For his part, Governor Nelson Dayanghirang congratulated and commended the farmers and the Provincial Agriculture Office for the pride that they have been consistently giving the province.
“I pray that you will remain steadfast in your hard work to help our farmers produce a good yield,” Gov. Dayanghirang said.
Under his administration, the provincial government has provided a subsidy to farmers in terms of the planting and provision of fertilizers and pesticides, among many others. By PIO with reports from Ms. Neela Duallo
