DILIMAN, Quezon City – Corn and cassava farmers’ cooperatives from Northern Mindanao took the top spot in the 2023 Corn and Cassava Management Excellence Awards (CCMEA) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI).
Mantibugao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers’ Cooperative, corn cluster awardee, and the Bliss Lingion Multipurpose Cooperative, under cassava cluster, both coming from Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, along with four other cooperatives received their plaques and cash prizes during the Awarding Ceremony last November 17.
Each champion clusters was awarded with two million pesos, which will serve as the cooperative’s funding for further agri development projects.
During the event, OIC-Director U-Nichols Manalo of DA Field Operations Services expressed his gratitude to all the corn and cassava farmers, who are continuously paving the way for the development of the industries.
Likewise, ATI Director Remelyn Recoter underscored the importance of recognizing the achievements of all cluster organizations in the agriculture and fishery sector.
“You serve as the model organizations in showcasing the best practices and strategies in the production, processing, and marketing of corn and cassava products,” she remarked.
Other awardees during the ceremony under the corn clusters were the Samahang Gumagawa Tungong Tagumpay Multipurpose Cooperative, first runner-up from Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro and the Maningalao-Lingayao Agriculture Cooperative, second runner-up from Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte.
Meanwhile, the first runner-up under the cassava cluster is the Zamboanga del Norte Cassava Growers and Processors, Inc., from Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte. Villa Luna Multipurpose Cooperative, from Cauayan City, Isabela bagged the second runner-up spot.
The CCMEA Awarding Ceremony was held at the National Meat Inspection Service-Salvador Escudero Hall in this city.
