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MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/08 December) – Three farmers from Bukidnon who practice integrated farming won in the regional selection for the Department of Agriculture’s “Gawad Saka,” according to the Provincial Agriculture Office.
Amelita Siberia said Ernesto Leonar of Maligaya, Malaybalay City, Emmanuel Patricio of Managok, Malaybalay City, and Siegfred Balaki of La Fortuna, Impasug-ong town are the winners of the annual award for best practices in agriculture from the province.
Leonar won for the small livestock raising project, Patricio for rice and fish integrated farm, and Balaki for high value commercial crop development.
Siberia said the three farmers will receive the award from agriculture officials in Cagayan de Oro City on Wednesday.
Last year, a family from Bukidnon that has ventured into multi-crop farming in their five-hectare property has won the Gawad Saka Most Outstanding Farm Family of the Philippines, an award presented by the Department of Agriculture National Agriculture and Fisheries Council.
The Rosalita family of Lurogan, Valencia City, who advocates against leasing farmlands to plantations, is one of five from Mindanao to win the award shared by 13 individuals and nine groups.
The award was presented by President Benigno S. Aquino III and Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala on May 23, at the Rizal Hall of Malacañan Palace. (Walter I.Balane/MindaNews)
