balita-dot-ph
April 7, 2010
10:18 PM

Iloilo Province honors exemplary farmers, fisherfolks

ILOILO CITY, April 7 – The Iloilo Provincial Government here honored the top farmers and fisherfolks here as part of its week-long Semana Sang Iloilo celebrations.

Honored as Iloilo Province’s Outstanding Agricultural-Achievers (Agri-Achievers) are Rufino Suelo of Zarraga, and Calinog Mayor Alex Centena.
Suelo is cited as Outstanding Fisherfolk, specifically on aquaculture and tilapia production. He has been on the aquaculture industry for more than 10 years and has expanded his tilapia business and provided work to members of his community.

Meanwhile, Mayor Centena was feted as Outstanding High Value Commercial Crops (HVCC) Farmer for his "Red Lady Papayas." An entrepreneur-public servant, Centena uses organic farming for his produce aside from various agriculture innovations.

Also recognized by the province as Agri-Achievers are Romeo Relatos of Cabatuan, Lydia Padre-r of Passi City, Elsa Gumban of San Enrique, Ruben Jalando-on of Ajuy, and Rodolfo Lopez, Jr. of Lambunao.
Relatos and Lopez are HVCC farmers specializing on vegetable production. Padre-e specializes on processing of nata de coco, Elsa Gumban is feted for her achievement on production of fruit trees and cutflower industry, while Jalando-on is a livestock and large animal raiser.

All farmers were evaluated by the PAO office for their contribution and notable achievements in their respective agriculture specialty.
PAO Chief Dr. Ildefonso Toledo said the farmers have helped transform the province into a Food Basket of Western Visayas.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Executive Director Larry Nationales commends the work of the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) for providing technical help to the farmers of the province.

He also lauded the PAO for recognizing the agricultural achievements of the farmers and fisher folks. Iloilo would not be in the national agriculture map and top producer if not for the farmers of the province, added Nacionales. (PNA)

LAP/LPCarnaje

Source: http://balita.ph/2010/04/07/iloilo-province-honors-exemplary-farmers-fisherfolks/