Gawad Saka honors achievers in farming, fishery

The country with the Department of Agriculture doing the honors is set to pay tribute this month of May to the country’s outstanding farmers and fishery producers with the "Gawad Saka" awards.

Now on its 33rd year, the "Gawad Saka" gives recognition to the huge contribution of farmers, fisher folk and their families to the country’s economic achievements. This as they pursue different technologies and breakthroughs in agricultural modernization. The annual search for outstanding agricultural achievers began in 1970.

"Gawad Saka" is the highlight of the "Farmers and Fisherfolk Month" this May as embodied in Proclamation No.393 signed by then President Corazon C. Aquino on May 21, 1989.

Undersecretary Cesar M. Drilon, chairman of this year’s celebration said the competition will center on the theme "Sigla’t Yaman sa Kanayunan" showcasing the invaluable contribution of our agricultural achievers in their use of modern farming and fishery techniques. Emphasis of the celebrations are standouts in the five banner programs of the DA: rice, corn, livestock, high-value crops and fishery products.

President Arroyo will lead the nation in honoring the winners in awarding ceremonies to be held at the Heroes Hall in MalacaÒang on May 22.

Kicking off the festivities starting on May 5 are a host of special clusters of activities among the 13 regions of the country and the different bureaus and attached agencies of the DA till the end of the month.

These include an agri-aqua trade exhibit, a tiyangge and a machinery fair showcasing the various agricultural products and the latest innovations in agricultural and fishery technology and equipment in the machinery and agricultural equipment exhibit.

Agriculture Secretary Luis P. Lorenzo Jr. will lead the ribbon-cutting ceremonies opening the trade fair and machinery exhibit at the DA main office grounds.

Cluster 1 features the display and sale of products from the Cagayan Valley, the Cordillera Administrative Region and Central Luzon from May 5 to 9 along with exhibits and presentations from the Philippine Coconut Authority, Bureau of Plant Industry, Sugar Regulatory Administration, Fiber Industry Development Authority, National Tobacco Administration, Cooperative Development Authority and National Agricultural and Fishery Council.

Cluster 2 features the agri-fishery exhibit on May 12-16 of the following: National Capital Region and the Bicol Region, the Agribusiness Marketing and Assistance Service of the DA, National Food Authority, National Irrigation Administration, Bureau of Soils and Water Management, Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority, National Nutrition Council, Bureau of Postharvest and Research Extension and the Philippine Rice Research Institute.

On May 19-23, cluster 3 features products of the Visayas Regions and presentations from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Quedancor, Agricultural Training Institute, Bureau of Agricultural Research, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation and the Agricultural Credit and Policy Council.

Last week of May features products and exhibits from the Mindanao Regions and the agencies safeguarding and monitoring the livestock industry led by the Bureau of Animal Industry, National Meat Inspection Commission, Philippine Carabao Center, National Dairy Authority and the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics.