Filipino rural women feted for outstanding work in sustainable agriculture
The Philippines -To celebrate women’s participation in sustainable agriculture and rural development, the Philippine Commission on Women recently honored Filipino rural women for their outstanding contribution to ensuring food security and economic stability of rural communities.
The women, who were picked among candidates from all over the Philippines, include: Tiny Rosareal-Tamayo of Antipas, North Cotabato, also named most outstanding; Conchita Silor-Masin of Davao Oriental; Susan Pasacay-Aceron of Camarines Norte; Alejandrina Lazaro-Correa of Cagayan; and Desiree Butuhan-Duran of Bulacan.
According to the United Nations Food Agriculture Organization, women play an important role in supporting their households and communities in achieving food and nutrition accurity, generating income, improving rural livelihoods and overall well-being. They contribute to agriculture and rural enterprises and fuel local economy. As such they are active players in achieving the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations.
Ms. Tamayo: She was the first woman-farmer in her province to have asexually propagated cleft grafting of cacao. In addition, she was instrumental in rehabilitating the watershed area in her community which became source of drinking water for people in her community.
Ms. Aceron: She was instrumental in organizing women to become fish wardens for the purpose of monitoring strict compliance with fishery laws and environmental laws as well as ensuring that illegal fishing in the costal areas of her community is eradicated.
Ms. Janiva: She practiced integrated farming, by growing rice while raising ducks and applying pest management practice. Farmers in her community have adopted her integrated farming technique.
Ms. Correa: She was successful in managing solid wastes by applying segregation and recycling techniques. She encouraged others in her community to do the same and even went to the extent of distributing seeds to them to start organic farms in their backyards.
Ms. Duran: As manager of Duran Farm in Bulacan, she improved rice production in San Ildefonso, Bulacan as well as increased productivity of vegetable farming, thus contributing immensely to food security in her province.
Secretary Proceso Alcala of the Philippine Department of Agriculture praised the participation of the rural women in economic development. He stressed that it is important to recognize the role of women because of their priceless contribution to developing the farming and fishing industries in the country.