TABUK CITY, Kalinga– The city government through the Office for the City Agricultural Services (OFCAS) was recently recognized by the Department of Agriculture (DA)- PhilRice for its achievement in implementing the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) seed and extension programs during the 2021 dry season.
City Agriculturist Nobleto Sagun said that the recognition as Best Local Government Unit Partner under the Large-Scale Category only shows that Tabuk City, with assistance from DA has all the programs and services for local rice farmers to achieve and sustain rice sufficiency.
Sagun also said that the award was given because of the 23,000 bags of rice seeds given last year to farmers with irrigated farm lands exceeding its 9,000 target. Also, it is because of the 100 percent delivery of high-quality inbred seeds despite the risks and challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Based on the number of rice seeds distributed, Supervising Agriculturist Lim Ducyogen shared that the city will have higher production of rice and will help rice farmers here lessen their cost of production because of the assistance extended by the city government and PhilRice for their advantage.
Apart from the Best LGU RCEF Implementer, the DA-PhilRice has also given Sagun a certificate of recognition.
The national recognition, he added, was also attributed to the efforts of Rice Coordinator and agricultural extension workers of OFCAS.
City Mayor Darwin Estra֮ero has lauded the DA for its continuous support to local rice farmers and to the OFCAS for implementing the services under the RCEF well. The recognition, he said, will greatly impact the city being the Rice Granary of the Cordilleras.