By Anthony S. Allada
DAVAO CITY, (PNA) — The province of Davao del Norte and the municipality of Braulio E. Dujali bested other local government units in Region XI in the regional level of the Search for Organic Agriculture–Local Government Unit (OA-LGU) awards for its stride in promoting organic farming.
Department of Agriculture (DA)-XI regional director Remelyn Recoter informed Governor Rodolfo del Rosario that the Provincial Agriculturist Office of Davao del Norte and Provincial Focal Person Marilou Runas dominated the competition in the Davao region.
The town of Braulio E. Dujali was also adjudged as the top performing OA-municipal local government unit, Recoter said.
In a letter dated September 18, 2013, Recoter bared that Davao del Norte got a score of 97.34.
She advised the province to prepare for the second round of site visit and documentation which will be held on September 24, 2014.
Recoter, who is also the chair of the regional search committee, earlier said the OA-LGU awards aim to recognize the achievement of top performing LGUs and individuals in advancing organic farming in the country.
It also intends to strengthen the partnership of the DA and the LGUs in producing OA products, while gearing towards the conversion of at least five percent of the agricultural lands in the country to go organic.
Governor del Rosario welcomed the award, saying it is a testament to the genuine effort of the province to adequately promote organic agriculture, as a tested approach to increase productivity and income of the farmers, while protecting the environment.
Acting provincial agriculturist Anastacia Notarte said the province has earned a spot in the national competitions to be held this coming October or November, where the winning provinces — one each in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao – will receive P3-million worth of project grants and a plaque.
The top performing city or municipality in each region will also take home P1-million worth of projects for their respective identified farmer group beneficiaries, Notarte said.
At the same time, a P30,000 worth of cash prize and a plaque await each of the three winning provincial focal persons, as well as the best city or municipal OA focal persons and the successful agricultural extension worker in each region, he said.