The rice granary of Negros Occidental was named by the Department of Agriculture as the top rice-producing city in Western Visayas for year 2019, Bago City PIO announced on Facebook.
For 3 consecutive years, Bago has been recognized as one of the top rice-producing local government units in the country with 11,879.29 hectares of rice paddy.
Aside from being the top producer in the region, the agriculture bureau also named City Agriculturist Carlito Indencia as the grand slam winner as Agricultural Extension Worker achiever awardee after securing the spot for the last 3 years.
The local government of Bago and Mr. Indencia will receive the award during the Rice Achievers Awards (RAA) ceremony which will be announced soon. This annual event of the Department of Agriculture recognizes the efforts of outstanding rice producers in the Philippines.
The prestigious awards were first presented in May 2012 to the 2011 top 10 provinces, 50 municipalities/cities, and 500 agricultural extension workers (AEWs).
The general criteria for nominees for the provincial winners are increase in rice grain yield, rice self-sufficiency, contribution to the national palay production, personnel and budget support to the rice program, applied research and technology verification projects undertaken with the farmers, use of high quality seeds (certified inbred and hybrid varieties), demonstration-promotion of new technologies, and measures that enhance farmer’s productivity and profitability in rice.
