For Nationwide Recognition: TOFARM 2013 Launched

The search and award for farmers is an initiative since the early 70’s by the Philippine Jaycees (now Junior Chamber International Philippines) and the Planter’s Products. An award program in recognition of the resiliency, ingenuity, and the strength of our hard working Filipino farmers. The program is anchored in promoting farming in the youth sector in all regions. The search will be inclusive and participative, expanding from public to private sector stakeholders in agriculture, fisheries and livestocks. This project is open to all Filipino farmers, fisherfolk, animal raisers, cooperatives, farm communities, organizations, education/academe, agriculture scientist, LGUs and public employees, and business entities in both rural and urban areas/centers.

Aside from recognizing the outstanding and unsung heroes of the fields, seas and urban areas from North Luzon to Southern Mindanao, its primary goal is to foster steady increase of youth venturing in the agriculture sector, invigorating investment and scientific advancement to achieve sustainable food supply.

This year’s TOFARM has added a new category – the Woman Farmer – in the annual search. “This is to recognize the growing number of women who have carved names for themselves in various agricultural fronts and who have brought recognition to the country through their individual or collective endeavors,” said Rommel Cunanan, TOFARM Project Chairman.

Whereas, JCI 2013 National President, Ryan C. Ravanzo stated, “Universal Harvester through its Executive Vice President Milagros Ong-How has been tireless in its efforts to support farmers and educate them on ways to have better yields and results. We are both concerned about the improvement of conditions for the farmer and better urban-rural relations through a keener understanding of agricultural concerns."

During the TOFARM launching held at Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Makati City, the woman with a golden heart, Mrs. Milagros Ong-How also stated, “TOFARM 2012 only scratched the surface in identifying farmers with best practices and extraordinary achievements. In TOFARM 2013 we want to explore new territories and discover other achievers who have not yet been recognized for their contributions to our country. This year, we want to widen the search to include outstanding women farmers. This is probably why we are launching TOFARM 2013 on International Woman’s Month.”

United Harvester, Inc. (UHI) is a progressive Filipino fertilizer company which is a manufacturer, importer and distributor of all kinds of fertilizers for all types of crops for farmers with its two plants in Calamaba, Laguna in PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority) Special Economic Zones from which the globally competitive products are manufactured using state-of-the-art technology. Since 2003, it had played a vital role to farmers, working closely to identify their key challenges, point out opportunities, offer solutions and provide new knowledge about fertilizers, available technologies and options for further growth. Truly, a "Kabalikat ng Magsasaka."

This year, TOFARM will give out 12 awards, seven in the individual category and five in the group category. These are : Farmer, Fisherfolk, Livestock, Agri-Entrepreneur, Young Farmer, Agricultural Innovator, Urban/City Farmer and Woman Farmer in the individual category; and Agriculture Cooperative, Family Farmer, Local Government Unit, Agriculture Initiatives and People’s Choice in the group category.

The nomination period for Outstanding Farmer candidates began this March and will end on September 2013. Validation and Judging of nominees will take place in, while the Awarding takes place in December.

Nominations may be submitted as hard copy or sent online to www.tofarm.org. Nomination forms may be downloaded from the website.

Individual winners will receive special plaques and cash prize of PhP 50,000 and for group winners, they will still receive special plaques and cash prize of PhP 100,000.