By Leilanie Adriano/PNA
LAOAG CITY — The provincial government of Ilocos Norte has recognized at least 57 individuals and organizations for their contribution to the province’s agricultural and fisheries sector.
In an awarding ceremony for its annual Provincial Gawad Saka incentive program here on Thursday, the Ilocos Norte government gave PHP5,000 to each individual awardee and PHP8,000 for each organization.
“Today is not an ordinary day for us because we are honoring the men and women in their fields of endeavor. Despite the series of typhoons, Ilocos Norte has sustained its self-sufficiency level, except for some high-value crops, like okra and cabbage,” Provincial Agriculture Officer Norma Lagmay said at the event.
Aside from the cash incentive, the award came with a plaque of recognition and a citation for each of the awardees.
The Gawad Saka search is sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, various local governments in the province, and the private sector.
Outstanding young farmer John Lei Ganiron of Barangay Ben-agan in Batac City said his decision to follow his father’s footsteps in pursuing farming has been the most significant decision he has made in his life.
“Who would have thought that an electronics engineer would turn out to be awarded as one of the most outstanding farmers in front of you today?” mused the 28-year-old bachelor, who has embraced farming since 2014.
Ganiron’s father, Romeo, was also feted as an outstanding rice farmer in the same event.
“It’s hard to become a farmer. It needs a lot of dedication, sacrifice, love for work, and the welfare of the people always comes to mind,” he said, adding that it’s not just the financial reward he’s up to, but “the advocacy to ensure safe and sufficient food for the next generation.”
Lagmay said the annual event hopes to serve as an inspiration and model for others to follow.
She also thanked the awardees for their support for the agricultural programs and plans of the government for inclusive growth and prosperity.
The Gawad Saka award has three main categories: individual, commodity, and organization.
The sub-categories under the organization category are small farmer/fisherfolk organization, young farmers’ organization, rural improvement club, barangay food terminal, municipal and provincial agriculture, and fisheries council.
The individual categories are the young farmer/fisherfolk, agricultural entrepreneur, agricultural scientist, and researcher.
There are also awardees under the commodity category, such as for rice, corn, high-value crops, organic agriculture, sugarcane, cassava, small/large animal raiser, and fisherfolk on fish culture and capture.
During the awarding ceremony, Department of Agriculture Center Chief Wilma Ibea, who represented Regional Executive Director Lucrecio Alviar Jr., encouraged the awardees to continue what they have started and aim for the Gawad Saka national level.
“Money is of lesser importance, but the plaque serves as an inspiration for us to work harder,” Ibea said, citing modern farming technologies that are now available to help farmers improve their productivity.
