Fifteen individual farmers and five farmers associations received recognition during the Gawad Saka awards by the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 6 (DA-RFU 6) held here Monday.

DA regional director Larry Nacionales said that Gawad Saka is a showcase of achievements and success stories of enterprising farmers who have boosted their harvest through the use of modern technologies.

Also it is their way of thanking them for performing well in their respective sectors.

The 2012 awardees for individual category included Franz Jason P. Baltazar for rice; Reynald S. Tupas, Sr. for corn; Louie John G. Gelluagan, young farmer; Rosario G. Villarena, high value commercial crops; and Senfroso E. Carpentero, Jr. for sugarcane.

For group category the DA Western Visayas recognized the Canmoros Dynamic Association Inc for fisherfolk organization; Cabatuan National Comprehensive High School (4-H Club), young farmers organization; San Isidro Rural Improvement Club for rural improvement club and the San Carlos City for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (FARMC).

DA also honored its 2011 regional winners composed of Calinog, Iloilo Mayor Alex A. Centena for agricultural entrepreneur; Dr. Greta G. Gabinete, agricultural scientist; Ramon D. Peñalosa Jr., organic agriculture; Vito C. Binondo, young fellow and Marlon E. Cajenta, for sugarcane.

The Igcocolo Rural Improvement Club of Guimbal, Iloilo was also recognized as outstanding rural improvement club for 2011.

Nacionales disclosed the agriculture department is also banking on the support of the awardees for the national government’s Food Staple Self-Sufficiency Program in 2013.

“This is a big challenge for the agriculture sector because we could not achieve self sufficiency without their support,” he stated.

Juvy Gaton, chief of the Regional Agri-Fishery and Information Division (RAFID) said that they hope to increase the incentives in the future from the current P10, 000 farm implements and equipment.

Gaton added they have already produced a lot of outstanding farmers in Western Visayas since the annual search started in 1988.*PNA