PRESS RELEASE
Department of Agriculture
RFU 5 San Agustin, Pili, Camarines Sur

July 23, 2012

The Department of Agriculture (DA) under its Agri-pinoy rice program will hold the 2012 Search for Rice Agri-Achievers. The search is one strategy that envisions to achieve rice self sufficiency by 2013 and will be sustained until 2016 and beyond. The search will honor top rice-producing provinces, cities, towns, irrigators' associations (IAs), Small Water Impounding Systems Association (SWISA) and outstanding Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs). It also aims to encourage the full participation of LGUs, IAs, and AEWs involved in the production of rice; sustain awareness, support and commitment to the rice sufficiency program. The search will cover the 2011-2012 dry and wet season.

The top 10 provinces will each receive P4 million worth of agricultural projects, while the top 50 cities and municipalities, 7 IAs and 3 SWISAs will each receive P1-million worth of agricultural projects. The 500 AEWs will also receive P20,000 each as cash incentive.

Agriculture Regional Executive Director Jose V. Dayao said the contest, launched last year, aims to recognize and encourage the full support and participation of local government units (LGUs), IAs, and AEWs. Being at the frontline in the implementation of the rice program they play an important role in the government's goal to attain rice sufficiency by 2013, and surplus in succeeding years. The rice achievers' award is also part of the campaign to promote the DA's flagship Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP), a program that would ensure food sufficiency for Filipinos not only in rice, but also other food crops like corn, cassava as well as some fruits and vegetables in the future.

For the Provincial Local government Units (PLGUs) they will be judged based on their incremental rice production volume and area harvested from 2011-2012, total funds allocated for rice production, number of LGU personnel deployed to rice production; LGU program on rice initiated/funded by the LGU; high quality seeds utilization of at least 50%. Moreover to qualify for the award the PLGUs must have attained the average yield target for 2012 under the FSSP of 4 metric tons per hectare; must have an updated road map endorsed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and total farmer-beneficiaries.

A similar set of criteria will be used to determine the top 50 cities and municipalities. For Agricultural Extension Workers the criteria include: production increment over 2011 production; production performance over 2012 target; number of cluster /farmers assisted (at least 30); trainings attended, FFS conducted, techno demo established and reports submitted. Under this category AEWs from the provincial, municipal and city, regular contractual and job order who have rendered at least 3 years of service can join the search. The regional evaluation is scheduled on September 05-14, 2012. (mabelle roa-ilan)