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Isang maalab na pagbati at pasasalamatsa mga natatanging magsasaka, mangingisda,siyentista, samahan at iba pa nating katuwangsa kanayunan na nagtitipon-tipon para sa 2009-2010 Gawad Saka.

Maituturing ang taunang parangal na itobilang isang tagumpay sa larangan ngpagpapaunlad sa sektor ng sakahan atpangisdaan. Hindi lamang tayo nagkakaroonng pagkakataon na kilalanin itong dakilangbokasyon sa agrikultura, napag-iisa rin natin ang

lahat ng mga pagsisikap para makamit ang isang matatag nakinabukasan.

Sa ilalim ng pamunuan ng Pangulong Aquino, makakaasaang sambayanan na pag-iibayuhin ng Kagawaran ng Pagsasakaang paghahatid ng mahusay, tapat at napapanahong suporta atkalinga na karapat-dapat lamang ninyong matanggap.

Layunin nating siguruhin ang pambansang kasapatan sa bigasat iba pang pagkain, at paramihin ang mga Pilipinong umaasensoat yumayaman sa negosyo sa sakahan at pangisdaan. – nang hindinasasakripisyo ang kalusugan ng kalikasan.

At kayong mga tumanggap ng pagkilala sa Gawad Saka anginaasahan naming mangunguna sa kampanyang ito ngpamahalaan. Sinasagisag ninyo ang galing, katatagan ng loob atdeterminasyon ng isang Dakilang Pilipino.

Kaya, ipagpatuloy natin ang ating pagkakaisa. Nawa’y bigyantayo ng Mahal na Panginoon ng panibagong lakas upangmalampasan ang mga pagsubok na darating para sa katuparaanng ating mga dakilang adhikain.

Mabuhay ang magsasaka at mangingisdang Pinoy!

Benigno S. Aquino IIIPresident, Republic of the Philippines

Proceso J. AlcalaKalihim

Congratulations to all the recipients of theGawad Saka 2009-2010. I join the Departmentof Agriculture in commending our farmers,fisherfolk, and organizations with outstandingaccomplishments in the field of agriculture andfisheries.

It is only fitting that we pay tribute to ourheroes in the countryside, whose contribution toour country’s economy and food productionstands unparalleled. Their commitment tonational renewal manifest in their labor amidchallenges brought about by nature and by market recession. Thisaward is a recognition that our path to progress entails the continueddevelopment of our agricultural sector, and that the continuing effortsof our countrymen in the rural areas are crucial in our fight againstpoverty. It is my hope that the achievements of our Gawad Sakahonorees will inspire more Filipinos to join our movement to rebuildour nation and revitalize our economy.

Your support and the Filipino people’s yearning for changecontinue to steer us along the straight and righteous path to genuinereform. Let us, reclaim the glory of our nation under the daylight oftransparency, accountability, and integrity.

President Benigno S. AquinoIII and Agriculture SecretaryProceso J. Alcala lead the na-tion in honoring the country’soutstanding farmers andfisherfolk or Gawad Sakaawardees of 2009-2010, insimple ceremonies, May 23,

P-Noy, Sec ‘Procy’ honorGawad Saka Awardees

2011, at Rizal Hall, MalacañanPalace, Manila.

The awardees are composedof 13 individuals and ninegroups, led by 78-year oldEfren Millare of San Juan, Abra,as the outstanding integrated

May 2011 A publication of the Department of Agriculture SPECIAL ISSUE

(Pls. turn to p11)

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Farm size and age do not matter.This was proven successfully by 78-year

old Efren T. Millare or “Tata Efren” — of Sitio Barbarsic, Bgy.Baug, San Juan, Abra — who from a mere 1.35-hectare farmwas able to produce rice and various crops, fish and swineworth more than P400,000 in 2010.

Tata Efren, who has been farming for sixty years, adoptsthe Palayamanan technology, an integrated farming systemimplemented by DA through the Philippine Rice Research In-stitute (PhilRice).

He set up his farm in such a way that, in addition to hismain crop of rice, he could sustainably produce corn, peanut,pepper and other crops.

He has also allotted a space for a fishpond and a shed totake care of several head of livestock.

“Through Palayamanan, I was able to earn a gross incomeof about P400,000 in 2010,” he explained in Ilocano.

From rice alone, he earned more than P173,000 from twocropping seasons in 2009, despite the onslaught of typhoonPepeng that year.

He also made about P113,000 from livestock and tilapiaraising, P35,000 from vegetables, and P7,000 from corn.

Accustomed to farming a small lot, Tata Efren makes do ofwhat is available.

For example, he uses a mixture of animal manure, rice strawand other farm wastes as fertilizer and feeds his pigs kangkongand ipil–ipil leaves.

For pesticide, he uses a liquid concoction of hot pepper orsiling labuyo.

Tata Efren believes it’s not how small or big a farm is. It ishow well one manages any venture that makes the difference.

Despite his ‘ripe’ age, as he turns 79 on May 24, 2011, hestill continues to farm.

But he is passing on the legacy—and the benefits of plant-ing and the success that goes with it—to his children andfellow farmers and ruralfolk in Barangay Baug, San Juan, Abra.

“Six of my children graduated from college and three fin-ished vocational courses,” he said, beaming with pride at theaccomplishments of his children.

“I was able to send them all to school through farming,” TataEfren proudly declared in Ilocano.

Efren T. MillareSan Juan, Abra

Integrated Rice Farmer

In 1999, Ambrosio Acosta thought ofdeveloping a farm, where he could grownutritious vegetables, using the organicway.

Using some savings, he and some family members carved asloping terrain in La Trinidad, near their residence and trans-

Organic Farmer

Ambrosio AcostaLa Trinidad, Benguet

formed it into an organic farm, aptly called “The Master’s Gar-den.”

His agriculture degree from the University of the Philippinesat Los Baños (UPLB) came in handy.

He improved the farm’s soil by incorporating compost, ani-mal manure, sawdust, leaf moulds, and some organic fertil-izer.

Currently, he plants 10 to 15 varieties of lettuce, which is thefarm’s main produce, taking 60 percent of the total farm area,of roughly 3,000 square meters.

The rest is planted to other vegetables like carrots, broccoli,beans, cucumber, beets, tomatoes and cauliflower. Severalplots are also planted to herbs such as tarragon, thyme, sage,oregano, rosemary, marjoram, dill, aragula, chives and corian-der.

His “Master’s Garden” vegetables and herbs are now popu-lar among consumers and Class A restaurants in Baguio, andnearby areas.

The farm serves as a learning center and an agri-tourismdestination, where Acosta shares his knowledge and experi-ence with fellow organic enthusiasts and farmers and tourists,providing them with hands-on training on composting, seed-ling nursery and crop management.

He extends technical training on organic farming to inter-ested farmers at the barangay level without monetary incen-tive.

He is among the key organizers of the Organic Farmers’Multi-purpose Cooperative in La Trinidad.

Hybrid Rice Farmer

When the Department of Agriculture launched the HybridRice Commercialization Program sometime in 2004, only afew brave souls took the plunge. One of them is Michael Lumas-i, a 45-year old farmer who knew by heart the ins-and-outs ofhybrid rice farming.

Relying on his gut feel and vast experience in agriculture,Michael took a risk on what his co-farmers in Ipil, Tabuk City,Kalinga perceived as something new and planted hybrid riceon two hectares of his 2.5 hectare farm lot.

Using the eight principles of PalayCheck System and farmmanagement tips from the local agricultural technologists,Michael was able to increase his annual yield by five bags perhectare.

“When I shifted from inbred to hybrid, I wasn’t sure what toexpect,” Michael narrates. Luckily, his gut feel was right. Forthe dry cropping season (DCS) of 2010, he posted a 12.75metric ton yield—half a metric ton higher than his 2009 DCSharvest.

“Hybrid rice has brought me a lot of good things,” he ex-claimed.

A father to six, Michael is happy that rice farming along withother income-generating farm projects has helped him sendhis children to school. “Now, I am able to provide for their schoolrequirements”, he said.

The family was also able to construct a house , buy a deliv-ery truck, additional farm implements and home appliances.

Michael W. Lumas-iTabuk, Kalinga

Special Issue 3

At a tender age, Jose Lorenzo startedtilling his family’s two-hectare farm,which has gradually increased to fivehectares through the years.

To fully enhance the farm’s productivity, he sought assis-tance from the Department of Agriculture and Japanese volun-teers in the country — from which he adopted techniques incultivating upland corn and vegetables.

To date, four hectares of the area is dedicated to corn, wherehe gets most of his income. He also planted high value cropslike cauliflower, broccoli, eggplant, cabbage, tomato, bell pep-per and corn.

To further boost farm income, he put up additional facilitiessuch as solar dryers, nurseries and composting areas, andacquired water pumps and power sprayers.

In the 2009 cropping season, he grossed more than P400,000from corn and vegetables.

When El Niño hit the country during the first quarter of 2010,he saved his crops by investing in water pumps. As a result, heobtained an average yield of 8.9 tons of corn per hectare, whilehis vegetables also did well.

Lorenzo said he always engages family members to help invarious farm chores. He also hires neighbors as farm hands,thus providing them additional income.

As an entrepreneur, Lorenzo makes sure there are readymarkets for his corn and vegetable produce. Thus, he regularlysupplies supermarkets like Robinson’s Place and KCC Mallsin General Santos City and a vegetable trading post inKoronadal.

Corn FarmerJose F. Lorenzo

Crossing Rubber, Tupi, South Cotabato

Coconut FarmerCatalino V. Ordinario, Jr.

Antequera, Bohol

Contrary to what his surname implies,58-year old Catalino V. Ordinario is no or-dinary guy.

He has transformed a 4.5-hectare farm in Quinapon-an,Antequera, Bohol, as one of the country’s model integratedcoconut enterprises.

Having been into coconut farming since 1972, he is activelyinvolved in various coconut production and processing programsof the Small Coconut Farmers Organization (SCFO) inAntequera (of which he is the incumbent president), and of theDA-Philippine Coconut Authority like the participatory coconutplanting project (PCPP).

Through his participation in PCPP, he was able to plant 200more coconut trees to his existing 350 bearing trees.

He also maintains a coconut nursery for future expansion. In2010, he earned close to P122,000.

Mang Catalino, as he is called by fellow farmers andtownmates, is also producing profitably several coconut by-products such as bahalina or fermented tuba, which he brandedas ‘Catalino Bahalina Special Ordinario,’ which has become apopular drink in Bohol. He also produces vinegar for local con-sumption.

But more than just coconut, Mang Catalino is engaged inintegrated farming by mixing crops, livestock, and fishery inwhat is called diversified intensified contour farming system.

Under this system, he planted the farm’s hillside contourwith fruit trees like jackfruit, atis, avocado, mango, tambis,durian, cashew, rambutan, guava, papaya and pineapple. Healso planted root crops like cassava and sweet potato, whilepasture grasses are grown as forage for livestock.

At the hilltop of his contour farm are animals like goats andnative chicken that range freely. He also maintains a patchplanted to several vegetables and herbs, and fishpond wheretilapia, carps and Taiwan shell thrive. There is also a basketballcourt that doubles as a multipurpose dryer that he shares withfellow farmers.

He also operates a 1.5-hectare rice farm, where he usesvermicast as an organic fertilizer from his vermiculture project.He sells the excess vermicast at P200 per bag. He also raisesanthuriums.

His farm has thus become a showcase, frequently visited byfarmers’ groups, people’s organizations, and government work-ers, who observe various farming technologies and attend lec-tures and demos on integrated coconut farming.

He actively participates and leads in the various agriculturalprojects in Antequera, being chairman of its Municipal Agricul-ture and Fisheries Council (MAFC). He is also an officer of theBohol Provincial AFC.

Sugarcane FarmerFlorencia CabautanWarat, Piat Cagayan

She started sugarcane farming in1993 at an initial two-hectare lot leasedfrom Hacienda Villacete, in Sta. Barbara, Piat, Cagayan.

She adopted new technologies, starting with the use of mod-ern high-yielding sugarcane varieties, and organic fertilizerslike sugarcane mudpress. With this combination, she was ableto produce bigger yields, reduce the total production costs,and earned for her higher income.

During the 2009-2010 season, her farm produced an aver-age yield of more than 85 tons per hectare, more than doublethe district’s average of 33 tons per hectare. This was equiva-lent to 175 50-kilo bags of sugarcane, about thrice the

While instincts and technology brought Michael his new-found glory in farming, hard work and perseverance earned forhim one of the most coveted titles in the National Gawad Saka—the 2010 Outstanding Rice Farmer (Hybrid) award.

This year, along with 21 other outstanding individuals andgroups who have laboriously worked towards agricultural devel-opment, Michael is recognized not only for his feat, but alsobecause of his contribution to the rice-sufficiency program ofthe government—something that can never be taken away fromhim.

High Value Crops Development Program FarmerEdita A. Dacuycuy

Paayas, Burgos, IlocosNorte

When Editha Dacuycuy graduatedwith a degree of BS Psychology at theUniversity of the Philippines, andworked as Division Manager of an in-surance company, it seemed unlikely that someday she willbe called the “Dragon Lady” of Ilocos Norte.

A mother of four, Dacuycuy came across the benefits ofdragon fruit when a friend gave her cuttings of the cactus-likeplant which the family planted in their backyard. With limitedspace, they started with only 15 posts.

Since Dragon Fruit can be easily planted by seeds and stemcuttings, Dacuycuy’s orchard easily increased from 15 to 5,000poles in just two years, arranged in rows in their 5-hectarefarm.

With her thirst for curiosity, Dacuycuy conducted many ex-periments, and discovered that pure organic fertilizer is bestfor her dragon fruit production. She also learned the techniqueof composting, and eventually produced her own organic fertil-izer.

Generous to share her blessings, she told other farmingenthusiasts about the success of her endeavor and urged themto undertake the same. Under her leadership, they organizedthe Saniata Dragon Fruit Growers in Ilocos Norte where shewas elected president. She was also nominated as MagsasakaSiyentista under the OPAG FITS Center on Dec. 2008.

Her farm served as a demo farm for Dragon Fruit, and wasalways included in the itinerary for Lakbay-Aral while Dacuycuy,herself, became a favorite resource speaker in trade fairs, farm-ers’ congresses and information caravans.

Today, aside from fruit production, Dacuycuy has dived intovalue-adding activities for her produce. She is now processing

district average. Through the years, with her savings, she was able to buy

adjoining farms, totalling to 23 hectares.Cabautan is both a full-time farmer and an office manager of

the Cagayan Sugarcane Planters Association, Inc. (CAPSULA).Portions of her farm are planted to other crops like rice, yel-

low and glutinous corn varieties, and high value crops. Cabautan gained knowledge and skills by attending trainings

and seminars on sustainable and profitable production of sug-arcane and other crops.

With her earnings, she was able to construct a decent housecomplete with amenities and appliances, and buy a kuligligheavy duty tractor, a passenger jeepney as service vehicle offarm workers, a personal car and motorcycle.

Her farm thus provides regular employment to townmatesand those from neighboring areas.

She was also instrumental in organizing in 1991, the CagayanSugar Farmers Cooperative, Inc. (CASUFACO). The group wasable to acquire and avail of financial support and farm machin-eries from the DA and other institutions, which greatly improvedthe cooperative members farm operations, eventually increas-ing their sugarcane yield and income.

Agri-EntrepeneurEduarda V. Ayo

Capuy, Sorsogon City

She learned the intricacies of farm-ing at an early age.

When her father died in 1975, Eduarda ‘Eden’ Ayo took overand managed the family’s farm and rice trading business.

While she finished college with a degree in social science,she opted to engage in farming, fulltime.

Now, she manages the family’s five-hectare rice farm inCapuy, Sorsogon, and E.V. Ayo Enterprises, a diversified farminputs and products trading venture.

It was not easy for her at the start, but attending trainingsand seminars built up her knowledge and confidence.

When she married Antonio Ayo, a soldier, Eden establishedEV Ayo Ricemill.

However, she strove harder, all for the sake of her son, Ald-rin, when Antonio died in a battle in Mindanao.

And so, she expanded her rice trading enterprise to includecopra, fertilizers, pesticides, and other farm inputs.

She also invested in the production of quality palay seedsand hog breeding.

Now, she has expanded her farm 30-folds to 150 hectaresand maintains a lease on farmlands at nearby barangays.

Currently, she allots 11 hectares for production of rice foun-dation seeds.

Eden continued to make a name in the business world. Shewas accredited by the DA’s Bureau of Plant Industry as acertified rice seed grower in 1992 and was formally recognizedfor consistently topping the list of accredited seed producersfor 18 years in the Bicol region.

She also obtained a license from the DA’s Fertilizer andPesticide Authority to operate as a fertilizer and pesticide dealer.

At present, she has three warehouses for rice and palayseeds, copra and fertilizers.

Her company has become a reputable quality rice seed pro-ducer. In 2008, her company produced 16,000 bags of palay,most of which was bought by the DA for its palay seed sub-sidy program.

Hence, palay seeds from Eden’s rice seed production farmsin Sorsogon have found their way in other regions and prov-inces in Luzon, including Palawan.

In recent years, she has diversified into hog raising and breed-ing, establishing a 1,500 sow-level farm in Rosario, Batangas.It produces purebred pigs on contract growing with SMCMonterey.

In 2008, her company assets totaled roughly P54 million.To this day, Eden remains humble, and serves as an inspira-

tion to many who are as adventurous and enterprising as sheis.

the fruits into pastries like cupcakes and cookies; recipes likelumpiang shanghai, siomai, salads and soups; and special des-sert like ice-cream.

She is also developing more areas for her plantation as sheplans to process the fruits into wine and puree in the future.

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5Special Issue

Fisherfolk (Fish Culture)Rodrigo BasalloCataanan, CDOMisamis Oriental

A Certified Public Accountant anda plant mechanic by profession,Rodrigo Basallo was one of the pioneers to engage in theBalingasag Mariculture Park in Misamis Oriental, the firstMariculture Park in northern Mindanao.

Believing in the potential of the fishery project, he motivatedhis friends, acquaintances and other investors to engage inbangus culture in floating cages during the initial year of theMariculture Park’s establishment in 2007.

Rudy, as he is commonly known, invested without reserva-tions on the establishment of two grow-out fish cage modulesmeasuring 10m x 10m each made of bamboo structures andbuoyed up with plastic drums.

With his keen management and business acumen, his ini-tial culture and successful harvests of bangus in marine float-ing fish cages proved his detractors wrong and instead havemotivated and triggered a number of other interested parties toengage in the said project.

As an engineer, Rudy experimented on the use of high-den-sity polyethylene (HDPE) materials for the cage structures.Because of the success of his initial and subsequent opera-tions, other investors entrusted to him the technical supervi-sion and management of the six grow-out fish cages for bangus.

Being optimistic of the bright prospect of the industry, hefurther ventured in the marketing of his own produce to various

A fisherman for more than 30 years now, 57-year old Ramon‘Ka Ramon’ M. Grimaldo is considered as the ‘big brother’ offellow fisherfolk in Atimonan, Quezon.

He fights for the rights of small fishers against large scalefishing operations. Similarly, he encourages fellow municipalfishers to be responsible, and strongly advocates the use ofsustainable fishing gears like ‘kitang,’ hook and line, and bottomset gill nets.

Fisherfolk in Barangay Caridad Ilaya and nearby coastalcommunities in Quezon regard him as a model and follow hisexample.

He shares much of his time providing support to various fisheryprograms implemented by the local government of Atimonan, inpartnership with the DA’s Bureau of Fisheries and AquaticResources (BFAR), such as the installation of artificial reefs,conservation of pawikan, mangrove reforestation and protection,and coastal clean-up.

As an environmentalist, he is one of the country’s frontliners insaving the country’s marine resources for the future generationof Filipinos, a translation of their battlecry: “Sagipin ang dagat,Sagipin ang bukas.”

But more than just fishing for livelihood, Ka Ramon is an activemember of various organizations such as the Bantay Dagat,Atimonan Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic ResourcesManagement Council (MFARMC) and the Atimonan FishProcessor Organization (AFPO).

Fisherfolk (Fish Capture)Ramon M. GrimaldoBrgy. Caridad, IlayaAtimonan, Quezon

retailers and fish traders of Cagayan de Oro City (CDO) and asfar as Iligan and Valencia cities.

He now supplies fresh bangus regularly to Robinson’s Plazaand other supermarkets.

To meet the demand of his growing business, he hired workersto harvest, package, and deliver bangus to fish traders and retail-ers. and bought the produce of other fish cages at the Maricul-ture Park.

He and his wife also ventured into bangus deboning and sellthese at his Greenwater Resort in Jasaan or at the KS FastFood and restaurant at the Lim Ket Kai Center.

But Rudy did not rest on his laurels, he again engaged in thegrowing of bangus fry and acquired a seven hectare pond in themunicipality of Magsaysay as fry nursery and established 16conditioning cages for fingerlings.

Thus, making him attain another notch on the various aspectsof fish culture that is growing and selling bangus fingerlings togrow-out fish cages.

Since he ventured into the grow-out production of bangus infish cages, Rudy has obtained an average production of 8.4MTof marketable size bangus per cage (at 100 sq m) per croppingat an average culture period of four months giving him a net profitof P784,696 with four harvest periods and no carry over of stocksfrom 2008 to 2009.

Indeed, Rudy is a living example of the modified Chinese prov-erb that says’” Give man a fish, he will eat for a day. But teach aman how to CULTURE FISH and he will eat fish for the rest of hislife.” True enough, he has not only provided his family’s dailyneeds for fish but supplied a number of people as well.

As he expanded his fishing operation, he provided employ-ment to six families who help him in his business, enabling themto operate three small fishing boats.

Now, he is also into fish cage culture, production of tilapia andornamental fish, and in fish processing and marketing,

Ka Ramon is happily married to Raquel Grimaldo, with whomthey are blessed with four children (three boys and one girl).

His income from fishing has sent them all to school, a privilegewhich his parents failed to provide him four decades ago.

Three of his children are college graduates, while the young-est is about to enter third year college.

He said he treasures his 30-year experience more than a col-lege diploma, as he is contended to go out to sea and fish every-day on board his banca ‘Lady Gift,’ named after his only daugh-ter Gift.

During the ‘Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month celebration in May2008, he was designated by the DA-BFAR as the Region 4-A‘Fisherfolk Director’ in recognition of his accomplishments andcommitment to empowering small fisherfolk.

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Large Animal RaiserLeonora D. Jukni

Purok Mangga, Bgy.Datagan, Pagadian City

Leonora Jukni started farming by rais-ing goats, chickens, and native cows inher five hectare coconut-based farm in Barangay Datagan,Pagadian City.

To improve her farm, she attended farmers meetings andvarious seminars and trainings conducted by the Department ofAgriculture (DA) and the City Veterinary Office.

In 2006, she completed all the needed requirements andjoined the Danlugan Multi-Purpose Cooperative which qualifiedto the GMA Dairy CARES Program of the National Dairy Au-thority. Under this program, Jukni availed of four dairy pregnantheifers, and an additional six heads more in the middle of 2008.Eventually, she was processing dairy products at maximumproduction.

To sustain the feeding of her livestock, she planted morepasture grasses in an adjacent lot. When the animals becameill, she used herbal medicines to treat them. She also used thismethod for “mange” treatment and deticking.

Aside from her dairy projects, Jukni maintains a coconutplantation and a farm planted to trees like rambutan, mango,and guava which she fertilized with dried animal manure.

In 2009, she netted more than Php 150, 000 from her inte-grated farm. The bulk of the total earnings came from milk salesaccounting for more than Php 107, 000 while the rest from thesales of coconut products and various fruits.

With enough savings, she was able to buy a milking machineand a motorcycle with sidecar which she uses in transportingfresh milk to her neighbors and other regular buyers.

Her integrated farm now serves as a show window to otherfarmers and livestock raisers in Pagadian and other communi-ties in Zamboanga. She was able to provide employment todairy farm worker and volunteers who wish to train in dairy op-erations. She also provided dairy milk to pre-school children intheir purok.

Her dedication and involvement in government programs par-ticularly in livestock raising contributed to the food security andsufficiency program of the Agriculture Department.

Small Animal RaiserHanani Nietes

Manticao, Misamis Oriental

He may be considered as one ofthe country’s modern day‘shepherds,’ as Hanani Nietesshares not only the Word of God with fellow farmers andtownmates, but also teaches them how to raise goats andcattle successfully as source of sustainable livelihood andincome.

A Seventh-day Adventist pastor, Nietes operates a modelgoat farm, composed of 60 does and 20 bucks (Anglo-Boerstrain) in Manticao, Misamis Oriental.

For his feat, he is declared as a “Magsasakang-Siyentista”by the Department of Science and Technology through the

Young FarmerElnard S. YmpalSan Juan, Siquijor

Elnard Ympal of San Juan,Siquijor has proven time and timeagain that he is every bit outstanding as far as integrated farmingsystem is concerned.

After finishing a two-year course on Agricultural Technologyfrom the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority(TESDA), Ympal started his own vegetable garden on top of ahill which he planted to cabbage, carrots, string beans, squash,and others.

Soon, the upland farm was planted additional crops such ascorn, banana and cutflowers, giving him an income equal tothat of his vegetable production.

Using his ingenuity and innovativeness, Ympal devised adrip irrigation system using recycled waste materials like emptysoftdrink bottles and nylon wires to make up for the waterscarcity in his farm.

Aside from this technology, he also improvised light traps forfruit flies, trellis for string beans, vermiculture, and organic

Philippine Council for Agriculture, Resource and ResearchDevelopment (DOST-PCARRD).

He practices a sustainable, organic livestock operation. Hefeeds the goats with his own formulation of shredded ipil-ipilleaves, copra meal, rice bran, molasses and salt.

He said this mixture induces dairy goats to produce moremilk, at three to four liters daily per doe.

On the side, he also raises dairy and beef cattle, which arefed with the goats’ leftover forage mixed with copra meal.

He collects the goats’ and cattle’s urine and manure, anduse them as bio-pesticide and fertilizer.

With earnings from the goat farm, he was able to buy anadditional seven hectares, which are planted to ipil-ipil and madrede cacao trees. The leaves serve mainly as forage for the goatsand cattle.

He also bought two horses to help transport forage and farmproducts.

Pastor Nietes also raises earthworms to produce ‘vermicast’which serves as organic fertilizer.

He also sells earthworms to interested vermiculturists.For his efforts, his integrated goat and livestock farm earned

for him close to P110,000 in 2008, which is a respectable incomefor his family (wife Saturnina and three children).

As a ‘shepherd,’ Pastor Nietes unselfishly shares hisknowledge and experience with fellow livestock farmers andorganic farming enthusiasts during livelihood seminarsconducted by the DA and other private institutions.

Further, he allows his breeder bucks to sire his neighbors’does for free. He also buys from other farmers madre de cacaoleaves as forage for his goats and cattle.

Altogether, he has become a key player of the country’s smallruminant industry, being the vice-chair for Mindanao of the Fed-eration of Goat and Sheep Producers of the Philippines, Inc.

7Special Issue

Small Farmers’ OrganizationDiffun Saranay & Development Cooperative

Diffun, Quirino

the two Rosalita daughters are currently working.The family attributed their success in farming through their

cooperation and hardwork which helped their children pursuedtheir college degrees — Mirajen Rosalita, registered nurse;Decemm, BS Medical Technology, Novie Lyn, B.S. Pharmacy;Oct Chill, B.S.Pharmacy; and May Grale, B.S. Agriculture.

Because of their strong agricultural background, the familymembers continued to receive numerous awards. Mrs. Rosalitawas adjudged as an Outstanding Farmer in Bukidnon and waschosen as Barangay Agriculture Fishery Council Chairman ofLurogan, Valencia City and RIC Barangay president .

Their youngest son, a 4-H club member, was a recipient ofJapan’s Young Filipino Training program, and the JapaneseAgriculture Exchange Council in the Asian Youth LeadershipProgram and awarded as Young Farmer for Gawad Saka 2001-2002.

Truly, Mr. and Mrs. Abias Rosalita made outstanding agri-cultural practice a family affair.

Outstanding FamilyMr. & Mrs. Abias Rosalita & Family

Valencia, Bukidnon

Abias Rosalita migrated to Bukidnon in his teen years, methis wife Mercedes, and raised their own family. They wereblessed with five children: three girls and two boys.

From there on, the family depended on agriculture for theirlivelihood.

At present, the family continued to till the land that Abiasused to farm and rented another piece of property to addresstheir growing needs. With the perseverance and industry of thefamily, they were able to buy the five-hectare farm they aretilling.

The couple with the help of their children continued on dis-covering new farming techniques, one of which is integratedfarming.

They applied what they learned from agricultural workshops,trainings, seminars, farmer’s field schools, and school-on-the-air programs sponsored by DA, other government agenciesand NGOs.

They optimized their farm production by venturing into otheralternative sources of income like fish culture, handicraft mak-ing, food handling and processing, and livestock raising.

Being innovative, the farm family used carbonized rice hullsand bones for soil inoculants, and cultured mushroom using“tiki-tiki for early maturity.

They applied Natural Farming Technology System (NFTS)by planting leguminous plants in almost 75% of their farm lotattracted pests which they control using organic extracts fromplants and fruits.

Post harvest losses from fruits were minimal as the familyprocessed these into jams, pickles, purees and chips soldduring trade fairs, town fiesta and in the provincial hospital where

fertilizers for his vegetables, corn and rootcrops and formulatedhis own pesticides using organic herbs and plants in the locality.

To further augment his earnings, the young farmer engagedin poultry production as well as livestock raising with ten headsof cattle and 18 heads of goat.

As an active youth leader in the community, Ympal at hisvery young age has shown great leadership skills influencingnot only his neighbors, but his townsfolk as well, especiallythe youth to engage in farming.

As in most groups, the Diffun Saranay Development Coop-erative (DISADECO) went through the proverbial ‘birth pains.’

It was organized in July 2, 1988, composed of 51 pioneermembers, mostly small farmers from four barangays (Ma.Clara, San Isidro, Isidro Paredes and Bannawag), who put inP100 each and came up with an initial P5,200 capital.

A few months later the group became inactive as severalkey officers resigned when they transferred employment andresidence. The remaining members immediately reorganizedthe group and registered with the then Bureau of CooperativesDevelopment (BCOD), with the help of a non-government or-ganization ,World Vision International, that invested an addi-tional capital of P40,000.

Six years later, in March 21, 1994, the group attracted moremembers from other towns, expanding its network to becomethe Diffun Credit and Development Cooperative. However, itopted to use its original name, DISADECO

To finance its growing operations, the cooperative soughtcredit assistance from the Department of Trade and Industry(DTI) and Land Bank of the Philippines.

With its good track record, it also succeeded in seekingtechnical and logistics assistance from the Department of

8

Agriculture, that included a four-wheel tractor, village corn dry-ing facility, bio-N mixing plant, warehouse, and drying pave-ment.

In 2008, with enough savings, it was able to construct aP6.6-million two-storey DISADECO Farmers’ Center, with atraining hall, dormitory and cafeteria.

In December 12, 2009, it also put up its own grains process-ing center.

Today, almost 23 years since its inception, the cooperativeis profitably engaged in various agriculture-related enterprises:rice and corn production, processing and marketing, fruit pro-duction, hog and poultry raising, meat processing, fishery andtrucking services. The cooperation also operates a farm sup-ply and general merchandise grocery store and manufacturessash and furniture. More importantly provision of affordable creditto its members.

In the near future, it plans to put up a feed mill and an or-ganic fertilizer production facility.

Aside from providing credit assistance to its members, thecooperative extends other services such as mutual aid plan,‘Saranay’ plan, loan protection and educational scholarshipprograms.

It was also chosen as a ‘Hall of Fame’ awardee of the LandBank, under its annual Gawad Pitak, a contest among LBP-financed agri-based enterprises.

Rural Improvement Club (RIC)Sinamar Norte

San Mateo, Isabela

It’s not a man’s world after all.This reality was proven by the members of the Rural

Improvement Club of Sinamar Norte in San Mateo, Isabela(organized in February 12, 1962) who believed in the importanceof mothers and women in society, and the value of propernutrition and health care for all citizens.

To empower its members, the group ventured in income-generating livestock projects particularly on poultry, duck,swine and goat propagation.

They further ventured into meat, fruit and vegetableprocessing, like pancit balatong, chips making, and mungoflour making, whenever there is a surplus production in theirarea.

They also planted crops like assorted vegetables, pineapple,ginger, cutflowers and cultured mushroom and establishedindividual nurseries for the production of healthy seedlings thatthey distribute for members’ backyard gardens These

Young Farmers’ OrganizationCatuguing Palayamanan 4H Working Youth Club

San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte

productive lots, in turn, serves as a source of indigenous herbsto cure common ailments of their families.

The RIC has also engaged in other non-agricultural livelihoodprojects like food catering, flower arrangement, lending andmicro-financing, composting and recycling.

Regularly, the members attend trainings conducted byvarious government organizations like DA, TESDA, DTI, DepEdand other NGOs, to increase their level of awareness andcompetence as active partners in the implementation ofdevelopment and income generating projects in their barangay.

At present, the Sinamar RIC’s “Guided Homes” project inevery purok serves as a show window on good homemanagement, and showcases the maximum utilization ofavailable areas in the backyard for better productivity andadditional income. In 2009, the group registered a net incomeof P437,749.82 or 70.94.

With the income derived from their projects, the Club wasable to contribute significantly to the construction of theSinamar Norte Barangay Hall, which is now considered thebest—not only in the municipality, but in the whole provinceof Isabela.

The group has also remained as an active partner of thegovernment in the implementation of projects not only inagriculture but on all aspects of development making themunicipality of San Mateo an Agro-Ecological Destination inthe Region.

With the ongoing craze for high-tech gadgets and gizmos,farming proved that it can hold a group of young people together.

Organized in January 2004, the Catuguing Palayamanan 4-H Working Youth Club’s attempt to encourage the youth of thecommunity to come together and venture into various agriculturaland fishery projects was unsuccessful.

But they did not lose heart.On August 27, 2008, the group re-organized with eight advisers

and 51 active members and was granted a P100,000 fund bythe Department of Labor and Employment. The financialassistance jump-started the organization’s photo silk screen

9Special Issue

printing project which in turn generated income that fundedtheir farm projects in the fields of high value crops, fishery andlivestock.

With close to 400 seedlings from the Ilocos Agriculture andResources Research and Development Consortium and theMariano Marcos State University, the youth of Catuguingengaged in Dragon Fruit production.

They were also able to launch a 400 square-meter tilapiaproduction pond in August 2009 with close coordination withthe Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) which provided the group1,000 fingerlings.

Four months later, they embarked on a goat dispersal projectwith the P50,000-grant from the DA-Agricultural TrainingInstitute. The group purchased 16 does and a buck and attendedtrainings conducted by ATI to ascertain the success of theendeavor.

Just recently, the Catiguing 4H Club went organic andproduced their own vermicompost thru a Community-BasedComposting Facility from DA, the Bureau of Soils and WaterManagement, and the PAO/Municipal Agriculture Office. Thepackage includes a shredding machine, 15 kgs African NightCrawler, 2 pcs compost tea brewer, and P4,500 cash for theconstruction of 3 vermi beds, all worth P350,000.

Individually, the members are engaged in cattle fattening andbreeding and swine raising as well as rice, corn, vegetable andlegume production for income and daily home consumption—a feat more rewarding than any gadgets and gizmos you canfind.

Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Council (MAFC)Dingras Ilocos Norte MAFC

The Dingras Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Council hasbeen a steadfast partner of the local government of Dingras inthe promotion and development of agriculture.

In particular, the Council has continuously worked with theMunicipal Agricultural Office in disseminating, implementingand monitoring of the Department of Agriculture’s banner pro-grams.

In 2008 alone, the Dingras MAFC passed a resolution re-questing the dredging of Baldias Creek at Barangay Guerrerodown to Barangay Bungcag that seeks to service around 600farmers.

In the same year, the municipal government approved itsrequest for the construction of a multi-purpose drying pave-

Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council (PAFC)Quezon Province PAFC

With their 23 years of existence, the Provincial Agriculturaland Fishery Council of Quezon Province has shown strongpartnership, active and ef fective coordination andcomplementation with the provincial, local government units,national agencies, agri-based organizations and other non-government organizations and people organizations.

Among the PAFC’s notable projects and activities were:Outreach Scholarship Program for farmers’ and fishermen’schildren; PAFC Newsletter/Quarterly Bulletin, which wasinstrumental in information dissemination and policyadvocacy; organization of the PAFC-MPC to extend financialassistance for livelihood projects of the farmers and fisherfolk;and MAFC’s operation.

In terms of monitoring and evaluation, the Council has beeneffective in overseeing the implementation of differentprograms and projects of the Department of Agriculture asevident in the creation of Provincial Monitoring Teams underthe Special Order No. 105, Series of 2009, which providesauthority for AFCs to monitor DA programs, projects andactivities.

Likewise, the council has played an important role in thelaunching of coastal clean-up, tree planting programs,

ment for Barangays Cali and Ver that will benefit a hundredfarmers.

Other significant projects of the MAFC include the establish-ment of tilapia grow-out in ponds, Modified Rapid Compostingtechnical briefing and Field Day, information dissemination onpest management, distribution of certified palay seeds, andthe municipal cattle and swine dispersal program.

It has also actively engaged in many activities within themunicipality that foster the advancement of agriculture such asthe Agro-Industrial and Commercialization Trade Fair duringthe Ani Festival. Apart from these, Dingras MAFC has alsoextended efforts to conduct consultation-dialogues for farmers,and the distribution of rehabilitation inputs during calamities.

Through the years, the Dingras MAFC has continued tostrengthen its linkages and remain active in the community tokeep its members educated with the latest agricultural tech-nologies and information.

These separate them from the rest of the agri-organizationsin the country.

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Outstanding Brgy. Bagsakan(Non-LGU Operated)

San Quintin Abra Federated RIC Inc.Villa Mercedes, San Quintin, Abra

The San Quintin Barangay Food Terminal (BFT), started asa small “talipapa” and later on became the pilot BFT in theCordillera Region with the supervision of San Quintin AbraFederation of Rural Improvement Club (RIC).

The project has employed eight of the RIC members tomanage it.

In the absence of municipal public market, this BFT servesas the major trading center in the municipality which caters1,067 households of six barangays namely, Villa Mercedes,Poblacion, Tangadan, Palang, Labaan and Pantoc.

All of the wage goods and other basic necessities neededin the community are available in this food terminal atreasonable prices.

Pinakbet vegetables, fruits and pork are bought from thelocal producers and nearby municipality, while chopsueyvegetables come from Benguet Province.

Other goods such as eggs, sugar, oil, other meat and meat-products are bought from traders.

Whenever there is a surplus of fish supply, the RIC membersare also engaged in meat processing such as longganisa,tocino, and fish tapa which are then sold at the BFT.

Likewise, the operators maintain the cleanliness andsanitation of the food terminal by observing proper hygienicfood handling, daily cleaning of the area and proper wastedisposal through waste segregation.

It has also established and maintained strong linkages withthe Local Government Unit and its different memberassociations in the delivery of basic services and communitydevelopment.

mangrove reforestation, and conservation of fish and marinesanctuaries in the Province.

Quezon PAFC is based in Pagbilao, Quezon, headed bychairman Guillermo James Argosino. It has 29 organizedMunicipal Agriculture and Fishery Council (MAFC) in the fourdistricts of Quezon: 8 MAFCs in District I; 4 in District II; 10 inDistrict III; and 7 in District IV.

Barangay Food Terminal(LGU Operated)

MLGU of San Miguel Catanduanes

Formally opened on January 7, 2009, the San MiguelBarangay Food Terminal (BFT) was the very first inCatanduanes, funded by the Department of Agriculture.

In its almost two-year operations, the BFT has openedgreat socio-economic initiatives for the municipal govern-ment of San Miguel.

The BFT operates daily, with a market day every Satur-day, to serve as a trading center for small farmers not onlyfrom San Miguel but for those coming from neighboringbarangays and nearby towns.

It employs five personnel, excluding the officers that com-pose the BFT Management Team.

The Management Team provides the BFT with a variety ofcommodities to meet consumer needs and preferences.

As part of its sustainability measures, the BFT engagesin the direct production of fish, swine and vegetables.

Products from these ventures are sold at the BFT, whilesurpluses are either processed or sold to neighboringbarangays and towns.

Because of its direct production, prices of commodities inthe BFT are relatively lower compared to prices in the localmarket or those of private traders.

In keeping with the objective of the BFT, the LGU of SanMiguel, Catanduanes is placing it among its priority con-cerns.

From time to time, the LGU conducts ocular visits to theBFT to monitor its operations and inventory of goods to serveas basis in purchasing stocks.

The operations of the BFT has also established intra-mu-nicipal linkages where the provincial employees’ coopera-tives and other government agencies avail of goods atfarmgate prices, protecting them from price fluctuations.

Producers of agricultural, poultry, livestock, and fish prod-ucts are now challenged to increase production and meetthe growing demand spawned by buyers’ confidence.

The BFT has thus proved to be a great boon to the eco-nomic upliftment of the countryside, and is expected to cre-ate enthusiasm for other barangays and municipalities to dothe same.

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Muncipal Fisheries and Aquatic ResourcesManagement Council (MFARMC)

Tiwi MFARMCAlbay

Organized in December 20, 1999, the Tiwi Municipal Fisher-ies and Aquatic Resources Management Council has becomean icon of determination and resilience in more than a decadeof operation and service to the fisherfolk and their families inTiwi, Albay, and has succeeded in every endeavor it took tohelp improve the livelihood of fisherfolk and the coastal diver-sity in the area.

With the council’s vigilant monitoring and strict implementa-tion of fishing laws, illegal fishing diminished by 90% from 200incidents in 2002 to only 18 in 2009.

As a result, an increase in the catch of the albacore, Thunnusalalunga or “Iliwon” by the local fisherfolk, was registered at56.2MT as of September 2009, 75% greater compared to thehighest catch in 2005 at 14.5 MT.

Reports also showed an increase in fish catch from 1 kilo in2002 to 5-10 kilos in 2008 , thanks to the regular patrolling andassessment of the Corangon Marine Fishery Reserve and Sanc-tuary in the entire municipal waters.

Apart from these, three significant recommendations from theMFARMC were enacted as policy legislations by the municipalgovernment of Tiwi. These are: the establishment of the CorangonMarine Fishery Reserve and Sanctuary, the codification of theMunicipal Fisheries ordinance, and the integration of the CoastalResource Management Plan in the Municipal Development Plan.

The Tiwi MFARMC has continued to provide several sourcesof alternative livelihood for fishermen in the coastal barangaysthrough the assistance of various government and private enti-ties. In fact, the cassava production livelihood project provided222 fishers a total of 84 hectares of production area.

With all the achievements under its belt, Tiwi MFARMC hasproven that having clear objectives and well-laid plans will takeyou a long way.

rice farmer.For their feat, the 22 winners

will receive a total of P3.2 mil-lion in cash awards and agri-fishery project grants, as wellas respective Presidential Ci-tation and Gawad Saka trophy.

The awarding ceremonyhighlights the annual ‘Farmers’and Fisherfolk’s Month’ celebra-tion, spearheaded nationwideby the Department of Agricul-ture, with the theme: ‘Sa Agri-Pinoy, Asenso’y Tuloy-tuloy.’

‘Tata Efren’ Millare, who hasbeen farming for 60 years, in-tegrates rice farming with veg-etable and livestock enter-prises, using an innovative andsustainable ‘Palayamanan’technology.

From his 1.35-hectare inte-grated rice farm he earned agross income of P400,000 in2010.

For his feat, he will receiveP100,000 cash, a Presidentialcitation and a Gawad Saka tro-phy from President Aquino andSecretary ‘Procy’ Alcala.

The other 12 national GawadSaka individual winners will alsoreceive P100,000 cash, while thenine group winners will getproject grants, ranging fromP150,000 to P350,000. All (shownat right) will receive a Presiden-tial citation and Gawad Saka tro-phy.

As part of their prize, they willgo on a three-day ‘Lakbay-Aral’or study tour of model agri-fish-ery farms and research institu-tions in Luzon, sponsored by theDA-National Agricultural and Fish-ery Council (NAFC).

Expected to attend are 500guests composed of farmers andfisherfolk leaders, local govern-ment officials, cabinet members,

honorable members of the Sen-ate and the House of Represen-tatives, heads of diplomatic mis-sions and international organiza-tions and donors, representa-tives from the private agri-fish-ery sector and other concernedgovernment agencies.

Gawad Saka is an annual con-test conducted nationwide byDA—in partnership with LGUs,academe and the private sec-tor—to recognize the continuingefforts and contribution to nation-building of farmers and fisherfolk,livestock raisers, and farmers’and fisherfolk’s groups and or-ganizations.

The annual contest, whichstarted in 1970, to date features22 individual and group catego-ries.

The search starts at the munici-pal level, where model farmers,fishers and farmers’/fisherfolk

P-Noy, Sec ‘Procy’ honor ... from p1

Sa

Asenso’yTuloy-tuloy

groups are endorsed by theirrespective mayors to the pro-vincial level competition.

The provincial winners willthen compete to represent theirrespective region. The regionalcontenders will finally vie for thenational awards.

Programme

DA A/Sec. Salvador SalacupMaster of Ceremony

gawad saka2009 - 2010

awarding ceremonies

May 23, 2011, 2:30 pmRizal Hall, Malacañan Palace

National Anthem ................................................... NIA-Region 8 Chorale

Invocation .............................................................. DA U/Sec Bernadette Romulo-Puyat

Welcome Remarks ............................................... DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala

Awarding ................................................................ President Benigno S. Aquino III assisted by Sec. Alcala

Response ................................................................ Efren T. Millare (Integrated Rice Farmer)

Intermission ........................................................... Students from Mary Help of Christian School

Calapan, Mindoro Oriental

Introduction of the Guest of Honor .................. Sec. Proceso J. Alcalaand Speaker

Keynote Address ................................................... His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III

Recessional