The Department of Agriculture has bestowed recognition awards to nine farmers, who more than doubled the national average of rice yield per hectare by planting the latest hybrid rice variety known as SL-8H, thus bringing the country nearer to realizing its goal of rice-sufficiency.

Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo Jr. called the farmers the "new heroes" and thanked them for their major role in the commercialization of the hybrid rice technology.

The first prize went to farmer Ernesto Pablo Sr. of Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, who registered an impressive yield of 106 metric tons (212 cavans) or rice per hectare, a yield three times higher than the national average of three metric tons (60 cavans) per hectare. For his harvest, made during the last dry cropping season, he realized a net income of P90,617.00 per hectare.

The second-prize winner was farmer Norma Lozada of Hagonoy, Davao del Sur, who realized a record harvest of 8.8 metric tons (176 cavans) per hectare and a net income of P66,288.00 per hectare. The seven other winners in the nationwide technology demonstration of the SL-8H hybrid rice variety surpassed the eight tons per hectare harvest.

Dr. Frisco Malabanan, director of the DA-GMA (Gintong Masaganang Ani) rice program, announced that the other farmer-cooperators, who were also given awards for surpassing the eight tons per hectare harvest were Guerrero Canoy of Pili, Camarines Sur, who harvested 8.8 tons per hectare, Agustin Palapala of Bantay, Ilocos Sur, 8.6 tons; Venerando Sanchez, Calapan, Or. Mindoro, 8.4 tons; Benigno Ramos of Pila, Laguna, 8.2 tons; Oscar Asperas of Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija, 8.2 tons, and Francisco Agwayas, of Tabuk, Kalinga, 8 tons.

Henry Lim Bon Liong, chairman and chief executive officer of SL Agritech that developed the new variety, presented the awards. Lim was awarded the prestigious Aurelio Periquet Jr. Business Leadership Award in 2002.

SL Agritech Corp. has sponsored the SL-8H nationwide techno-demonstration in 35 sites in the countries 12 regions to promote the use of hybrid seeds in rice production.

Present during the ceremonies were Dr. S. S. Virmani of the International Rice Research Institute, executive director Jose Maria Perez of the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority, Gen. Ricardo de Leon of the National Police, Lt., Gen. Ernesto Carolina of the Armed Forces and John Kaw of the Filipino-Chinese Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry.