Department of Agriculture (DA) honors today the farmers and fisherfolk who won this year’s "Gawad Saka" awards.

President Arroyo and Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap will honor this year’s winners of the "Gawad Saka" search during awards ceremonies at the Ceremonial Hall in Malacañang at 12:30 p.m.

Yap said the "Gawad Saka" award aims to recognize the achievements of small farmers and fishermen who raised yields and boosted their incomes using modern technologies.

"Through ‘Gawad Saka,’ we can document success stories in the field of agriculture and fisheries and encourage other small farmers and fisherfolk to replicate or even surpass the best practices of our awardees in making their vocation in the agricultural sector more productive and rewarding for them and their families," he added.

Covering 22 individual awards categories and five group awards, Gawad Saka is a yearly project of the DA in cooperation with other government institutions and non-government organizations.

Yap said under the individual achievers category, each winner will receive R100,000 in cash and a presidential trophy, while each individual achiever will receive special citations and R30,000 in cash.

The winners for outstanding organization achievers will receive R150,000 worth of project grants, a presidential trophy, and a presidential citation. Winners in the organizational achiever will receive special citations and R75,000 in project grants.

This year’s awardees are: Joseph D. Fernando, Outstanding Rice Farmer, Naganakan, Cauayan, Isabela; Demetrio E. Tabelon, Outstanding Corn Farmer, Tiniwisan, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte; Nestor T. Bautista, Outstanding Sugarcane Farmer, Lakambini, Tuao, Cagayan; Ananias R. Cunado, Outstanding Coconut Farmer, New Bataan, Compostela Valley; Heherson Pagulayan, Outstanding High-Value Commercial Crop (HVCC) Farmer, Centro San Antonio, Ilagan, Isabela;

J. Emmanuel Pastries and Joseph G. Lomibao, Outstanding HVCC Processors, Camarines Sur; Peter L. Uy, Outstanding Fisherfolk (Fish Culture), Campuyo, Manjuyod, Negros Oriental; Arturo A. Marcaida Jr., Outstanding Fisherfolk (Fish Capture), Pena, Cawayan, Masbate; Glenn S. Saludar, Outstanding Farmer/Fisherfolk, Barangay Balud, Sta. Margarita, Samar; Arturo D. Pacascas and family, Outstanding Farmer/Fisherfolk Family, Calbayog, Samar, and; Erlinda P. Rillo, Outstanding Agricultural Scientist, Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Albay.

This year’s Outstanding Organization Achievers include the following: Simbaluca 4-H Club, Outstanding Young Farmer/Fisherfolk Organization, Barangay Simbaluca, Sta. Teresita, Cagayan; Pagaypay 4-H Club, Outstanding Young Farmer/Fisherfolk Organization, Bgy. Pagaypay, Passi City, Iloilo; Mother of Hope, Outstanding Rural Improvement Club, Pangantukan, Bukidnon; Claveria Farmers’ MultiPurpose Cooperative, Outstanding Small Farmer/Fisherfolk Organization, Claveria, Cagayan; and Tuguegarao CAFC, Outstanding Municipal/City Agricultural and Fishery Council, Cagayan.