CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) -- The provincial government of Isabela through the Provincial Agriculture Office has recently recognized the province’s outstanding farmers and fisherfolk for 2023.

Provincial Agriculturist Marites Fogoso said the provincial government deemed it necessary to honor and acknowledge the farmers and fisherfolk as they have contributed to the overall agricultural productivity of Isabela.

Department of Agriculture OIC Regional Executive Director Rose Mary Aquino, who was the guest of honor during the awards ceremony, urged farmers to continue their efforts, as the province serves as the consistent top corn producer and the second-largest rice producer in the country. 

The awardees for the outstanding individual farmers and fisherfolk category were Arsenio L. Ramiro of Puroc, Luna as Outstanding Integrated Rice Farmer; Marino Yahin Jr. of San Roque, San Mateo as Outstanding Corn Farmer;  Virgilio Mangino Jr. of San Miguel, Ramon as Outstanding Corn Farmer; Jose Bad-ang of Planas, Ramon as Outstanding Large Animal Raiser. 

Others were Grand Julius Castañeda of Centro 2, San Guillermo as Outstanding Small Animal Raiser; Jerry Concepcion of Salinungan West, San Mateo as Outstanding Small Animal Raiser: Lorelie Valdez of Antonino, Alicia as Outstanding Agri-Entrepreneur: Kayzel Felix of Victoria, San Mateo as Outstanding Young Farmer (4H Club); Gemma Bagunu of CVRC-San Felipe, Ilagan as Outstanding Agricultural Researcher; Jeoffrey Lloyd Bareng of ISU-Main, Echague as Outstanding Agricultural Scientist; Joseph Laggui of Villabuena, Santa Maria as Outstanding Sugarcane Farmer; Dante Ordinario of Sitio, Dibulo, Dinapigue as Outstanding Coconut Farmer; Agnes Sarguet of Dilocot Burgos, San Guillermo Outstanding Rural Woman.

For the group category, the awardees include Julie Pua and Family of Bella Luz, San Mateo as Outstanding Farm/Fisherfolk Family; 4H Khan Baladia of Divinan, Jones as Outstanding Young Farmer/Fisherfolk Organization (4H Club): Santa Maria RIC of Santa Maria, Alicia as Outstanding RIC Organization; San Manuel Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SMMPC) of District 3, San Manuel as Outstanding Small Farmer Organization; FARMC Cordon as Outstanding FARMC; BFT Bannawag Norte of Bannawag Norte, Santiago City Barangay Food Terminal (NGO Operated); BFT Guam, San Guillermo Outstanding Food Terminal (LGU Operated) and Municipal Agriculture and Fisheries Council - Quezon, Isabela of Mangga, Quezon as Outstanding MAFC. 

The awardees received certificates of recognition and cash. 

On the other hand, the farmers and fisherfolk vowed to continue their agricultural production activities to help the province and contribute to the country’s food sufficiency goal. (JKC/MGE/PIA Isabela)