One of the highlights of the celebration of the Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s month in May was the regionwide “Pinaka” contest which has inspired close to 80 farmers to submit in their biggest, heaviest or longest harvests. Farmers in Camarines Sur submitted their entries to the DA RFO 5 while farmers in the other provinces brought their PINAKA commodities to the DA Research Outreach Stations (ROSes) in their respective provinces.

The judging was simultaneously conducted and livestreamed on social media on May 14, 2021.

Luz R. Marcelino, RTD for Operations said that the contest aimed to showcase the products farmers are growing. “We can see here the participation of the farmers in food production and to DA’s mission of food security and affordable food in every Bicolano table. This is also a way of honoring their efforts. May this be an inspiration to our farmers to continue producing our food” RTD Marcelino added.

The winners for each commodity/category will receive 1 set garden tools, 1 roll garden hose, 5 packs plant growth enhancer, 1 liter foliar fertilizer, assorted vegetable seeds. Consolation prize will consist of 20 packets assorted vegetable seeds. The prizes can be claimed at the HVCDP or at Research Outreach Stations in the six provinces. The winners will be notified on the schedule of claiming their prizes.

Dr. Mary Grace Rodriguez, Chief of the Field Operations Division and regional coordinator of the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) which initiated the contest, announced the winners… (Lovella P. Guarin/ RAFIS 5)