DavOr hailed for rice production

DAVAO ORIENTAL, April 6, 2015 –The Department of Agriculture hailed the Province of Davao Oriental as one of the top ten outstanding provinces in the country in terms of rice production during the recent awarding ceremonies for the 2014 AgriPinoy Rice Achiever's Award (APRAA).

Held in Resorts World Performing Arts in Pasay City on March 26, 2015, Davao Oriental Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon accepted a plaque and P4-million pesos intended for rice-related projects.

This recognition was mainly attributed to the overall rice production of Davao Oriental hitting a total of 63,769.79 metric tons in 2014. Aside from that, the province has also achieved 4.47 MT/ha production, surpassing the 4.27 MT/hectare national production target.

In addition, Davao Oriental’s advocacy to achieve a hundred percent rice sufficiency level through the construction of the Cateel Irrigation Dam, one of Mindanao’s biggest irrigation projects, had even bolstered the province’s rice production.

Gov. Malanyaon, who strongly pushes for programs on food sufficiency, had intensified the Rice Sufficiency Program here in the province not only ensure sustainable rice production but also to generate productive employment for the poor.

Meanwhile, two other provinces in Davao Region also made it to the top ten rice producing provinces in the country. These include the provinces of Davao del Sur and Compostela Valley.

According to DA XI Regional Executive Director Remelyn R. Recoter, Davao Region, altogether, was able to hit an ‘all-time’ high production of 19.97 million metric tons in 2014. She added that this performance was attributed to the production growth of 2.87% and 3% yield improvement.

Also given recognition during the APRAA was the Municipality of Banaybanay in Davao Oriental which was hailed Outstanding Municipality. Banaybanay Mayor Adalia Tambuang received a plaque and P1 million cash prize.

Already on its fourth year, the APRAA annual search was implemented by the DA National Rice Program to recognize excellent performance of provinces, municipalities, cities, Irrigators Association, and Agricultural Extension Workers in their contribution as important stakeholders in the National Food Self Sufficiency Program.

Moreover, this scheme also encourages commitment and excellent performance of LGU stakeholders in terms of implementing programs that promote rice production and food sufficiency. In addition, it also envisions LGUs and the national government to work together in achieving 7 to 10% increase on the annual rice production over a period of 5 years.

Rotchie M. Ravelo, Head of the Provincial Agriculture Office, thanked the department for honoring its partners and stakeholders in achieving the rice production targets with the annual Agri Pinoy Achievers Award Program." It was indeed a wonderful affirmation of our hard work," Ravelo said.

To date, the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental through its Provincial Agriculture Office aspires to continue its goal to achieve 100% food sufficiency and security in the whole province through its continuous implementation of intensified programs on agriculture.(Analyn Padullon and KL Deloso/PIO DO)\