MATI CITY — The province of Davao Oriental has again coveted this year’s highest honor from the agriculture industry having the National Rice Achievers Award.
The award is based on the performance of the province in terms of rice production and for its continuous support to the province’s rice industry.
The provincial government bested ten other provinces in the country given its high rice production.
In 2019, Davao Oriental exceeded the national average production target of 4.20 metric tons per hectare as the province 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.
The province fall and won under category C with competitors having 15,000 to 25,000 hectares ricefield, Davao Oriental has 16,098 hectares which are either irrigated or rainfed.
Aside from the accolade, the province will receive a P4-million cash incentive from the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI). 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.
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.
Provincial Governor Nelson Dayanghirang in his message said the province will not sit with its laurel, instead, the recent victory will further encourage the province to strengthen its rice sufficiency program, and, encourage rice stakeholders to be more productive and aim for increased yields to increase their income by increasing the rice coverage, and attain the target of having 90percent rice self-sufficiency by 2022.
DA-ATI Director Dante Esguerra lauded the provincial government for the achievements, saying other provinces should look at the good practices of the province and focus on agriculture and rice production with farmers actively supporting the rice sufficiency program.
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..-Newsline PIO/DavOr
