ILOCOS SUR AWARDED AS NATIONAL QUALITY CORN ACHIEVER

The province of Ilocos Sur bags seven awards in the 11th National Corn Congress and 3rd Quality Corn Achievers Awarding Ceremony held at Clark, Pampanga on October 22, 2015.

The Department of Agriculture has chosen Ilocos Sur as one of Five Outstanding Provinces recognizing the milestones of the province in quality corn production. The other provinces in the top five are Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Occidental Mindoro and Agusan del Norte. Governor Ryan Singson together with Vice Governor DV Savellano and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members received the plaque and the cash award of three million pesos.

Aside from this, Mr. Constante Botacion Jr. was chosen as outstanding Provincial Agriculturist and Oscar Tobia was awarded as outstanding Provincial Corn Coordinator. The efforts of the some municipalities in their contribution in corn production was also recognized where the Local Government Unit of Sta. Maria was selected as Outstanding Municipality, its Municipal Agriculturist Grace Cardona and Corn Coordinator Diosdado Mendoza also received plaques and cash awards. Ronald Tumbaga from Bantay Ilocos Sur was chosen as Outstanding Agricultural Extension Worker

“These awards will serve as inspiration and at the same time challenge to us to continue the programs in order to maintain quality production of corn in Ilocos Sur. We aim for another year of success until we will get a hall of fame”. Gov. Ryan Singson said.

Gov. Singson believes that this achievement is through the full support of the provincial government to the farmers sector. The Ryan Corn Assistance Program is a flagship program establish by Gov. Ryan Singson’s administration. Under this program, the corn farmers are extended free hybrid corn seeds, fertilizers, farm machineries and equipment support and technical trainings.

At present, there are 14,000 hectares planted with hybrid corn. 2,000 hectares are planted with white corn and 12, 000 hectares planted with yellow corn. These can produce five tons per hectare every cropping. In the span of three years the production of corn in the province was increased to 16.9 percent.

The three million pesos cash award will be allotted by the Provincial Government in purchasing a hauling truck to be used by the corned farmers in traveling their produce. # Source – PIO Ilocos Sur/BDMayor