ILAGAN CITY, Isabela, March 19 (PIA) — Isabela is one of the top 10 provinces in the country that gained recognition as agri-pinoy rice achiever for 2012.

The agri-pinoy is a Department of Agriculture’s initiated program aimed at recognizing provinces, cities, towns, irrigator associations, and agricultural extension workers in the country which excelled in rice production.

The awarding ceremony was held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) last week.

Agriculturist Danilo Tumamao said Isabela is lucky to be included as one of the 10 of the country’s agri-pinoy rice achievers and the award will serve as inspiration to other farmers here to help government in supporting its goals and objectives in increasing palay production.

Tumamao said Isabela’s registered palay production in 2012 of 600,000 metric tons (MT) greatly contributed to the rice sefl-sufficiency program of the government.

He said the five cropping in two years scheme implemented by the DA has also contributed much to the increase of palay yield.

Tumamao said the province received P4-million worth of agri-projects which will be identified by the provincial government. The amount will be used to increase palay production in Isabela that will contribute to the government’s goal to become rice self-sufficient and, soon, exporter of rice.

The other provinces vested the agri-pinoy rice achiever award were Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Bulacan, Kalinga, La Union, Davao del Sur, Compostela Valley, and Zamboanga del Sur.