CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The Pan-ay IPM Kasakalikasan Farmers Association, Inc. of Clarin, Misamis Occidental, declared as the champion for the Search of the Best Communal Garden regionwide, was conferred with prizes along with other participating farmers’ associations and local government unit (LGU).
This, after they have been named among the winners, during a virtual awarding ceremony held a week earlier.
Launched in November 2021, the contest, which is initiated by the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office (DA)-10 in partnership with the Philippine Association of Agriculturists, Inc. (PAA)-Northern Mindanao, Pineapple Chapter, aims to attain food security and adequacy at the community levels.
Leading the handover of cash prizes and various agricultural interventions is DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations and PAA Northern Mindanao Pineapple chapter President Carlota S. Madriaga.
For bagging the top spot, Panay IPM received P77,000 worth of agri interventions (10 modules of free-range chicken, 1 set of garden tools, 1 unit wheelbarrow, 10 units plastic crate, and 30 packets of 5-in-1 assorted vegetable seeds), P15,000 cash prize and a plaque of recognition.
Finishing second, Calaocalao Rice Small Farmers Association, Inc. of Don Carlos, Bukidnon was granted with P52,000 agri interventions (8 modules of free-range chicken, 1 set of garden tools, 30 packets of 5-in-1 assorted vegetable seeds, and 1 unit wheelbarrow), P12,000 cash prize and a plaque of recognition.
Third placer, Barangay Libertad of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, accepted the P38,500 worth of agricultural interventions (6 modules of free-range chicken, 30 packets of 5-in-1 assorted vegetable seeds, and 1 unit wheelbarrow, P10,000 cash prize, and a plaque of recognition.
Consolation prizes amounting to P5,000 each were also turned over to the Sinai Rural Improvement Club Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental, and Tangaro Young Farmers of Catarman, Camiguin.
“This search is timely in response to President-Secretary Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s marching order for the agency to work fast and attend to the food production matter properly,” Madriaga remarked.
DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado commended the farmers’ association and LGU, and pinned his hopes that the existing communal gardens will be replicated, maintained, and sustained.
“Through communal gardening, we are not only providing a solution for the coming food crisis as what Pres-Sec directed, but we get our own sources of food right in our own backyards, for us to grow and manage together with our families, neighbors, and our friends,” Collado said. (DA-10/PIA-10)
