BUHANGIN, Davao City—The Department of Agriculture (DA) continues to strengthen its ties with local government units (LGUs) and farmers’ groups to boost corn and cassava development as it awards industry achievers nationwide.

In a three-in-one ceremony, DA recognized top-performing LGUs, DA regional offices, and farmers’ organizations. This is through the 6th National Quality Corn Achievers Awards (NQCAA), 2nd Cassava Cluster Management Excellence Awards (CCMEA), and 2nd Cornucopia Awards.

Five outstanding provinces, together with their respective provincial agriculturists and provincial corn coordinators; 25 municipalities/cities, including 21 agriculturists and 16 corn coordinators from these areas; and 100 agricultural extension workers were recognized for the 6th NQCAA.

In the second year of the Cornucopia Awards, incentives and recognition were given to farmer organizations implementing value-adding activities on corn and cassava. The awardees are the San Miguel Women Empowerment Movement Rural Improvement Club in Zamboanga del Sur; Calamba Upland Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative in Laguna; and Sion Gintong Araw Agriculture Cooperative in Misamis Oriental.

The 2nd CCMEA awardees, on the other hand, are Mantibugao ARB FC in Bukidnon; San Jose Multi-Purpose Cooperative in South Cotabato; and Fatima Multipurpose Cooperative Carigara Cassava Cluster in Leyte.

Prior to these ceremonies was the 14th Philippine National Corn Congress. The activity served as avenue for industry stakeholders to discuss current issues, share best farming practices, showcase modern farm equipment and technologies, and forge market linkages.

Among the topics featured were updates on the DA corn and cassava programs; corn farming in Indonesia; corn milling technology; hog industry scenario; and sustainable and profitable production of rice and corn with ameliorant mitigant. Agricultural credit and the food retail scenario were also discussed.

Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food chairperson Cynthia Villar keynoted the event. In her speech, she called for support for the legislation on rice tariffication and the implementation of the rice competitiveness enhancement fund.

DA Undersecretary for Operations Ariel Cayanan also gave his message on behalf of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol. He spoke of the vital role of the LGUs in the implementation and monitoring various development programs in their respective communities.

The event was held with the theme “Linking Corn Farmers: Towards Inclusive Economic Growth and Competitiveness” to mark the industry’s development, which helped boost not only the livestock sector but also the thrust for food security. Around 2,000 delegates, including officials of the Agricultural Training Institute, attended the event on November 14-16, 2018 at D’Leonor Inland Resort.