VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur – An increase in this province’s high quality corn production has been recognized by the Department of Agriculture.
Through its “Ryan Corn Assistance Program” of governor Ryan Luis Singson, local farmers have produced at least five tons per hectare every cropping.
“In a span of three years the production of corn in our province has increased to 16.9 percent,” Singson said.
The improvement made Ilocos Sur as a major awardee during the 11th National Corn Congress and 3rd Quality Corn Achievers Awarding Ceremony held recently in Clark, Pampanga.
Singson led local officials in receiving the cash award amounting to P3 million and trophy from Undersecretary Emerson Palad of the Department of Agriculture for being one of the top five provinces in terms of high quality corn production.
Aside from Ilocos Sur, other provinces that were named top producers were Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Occidental Mindoro and Agusan del Norte.
Ilocos Sur’s Agriculturist Constante Botacion Jr. was chosen as Outstanding Provincial Agriculturist of the Year while Oscar Tobia was awarded as the Outstanding Provincial Corn Coordinator.
Under the program, the provincial government gives farmers free hybrid corn seeds, fertilizers, farm machineries and equipment support and technical trainings.
Initially, there are 14,000 hectares planted with hybrid corn in the province this year, 2,000 hectares of which are planted with white corn while 12, 000 hectares were planted with yellow corn.
The corn plantation program is also intended for the marginal lands in the province not suitable for tobacco production. (Freddie G. Lazaro)