Outstanding Agriculture Initiatives by the Hibiga River Irrigation System Irrigators Association Inc. of Polangui, Albay

Kwento Ni Toto believes in the power of the farmers and there's wealth in farming with that it is our honor to share the story of an event that recognizes the contribution of the farmers to the community. It is the TOFARM Awards, below is the details about it.

The best farmers from various parts of the country will be feted in TOFARM AWARDS 2015 – the third consecutive Outstanding Farmers of the Philippines (TOFARM) recognition awards staged by Universal Harvester Inc.

The yearly awards honors the country’s top agricultural groups and individuals who have imparted valuable contributions to their families, communities, provinces, and the country as a whole through best agricultural practices, innovations, initiatives and systems. The recognition awards will be held at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La Manila.

Have you been to a Farm? Have you tried working in a Farm? Well, I'm sure lots of the present generation would scratch their heads and wonder what's a farm really looks like. Perhaps most of the present generation have seen farms in online games like Farmville, in which at least helped in informing the young ones of how Farms works. In my part, though born and raised in a city life, I get to experienced living in the province with my grandparents. Getting your hands and feet dirty when farming.


A few weeks ago my correspondent Jefferson Montas was able to attend and witness the media launch of TOFARM, it is the search for THE OUTSTANDING FARMERS of the Philippines. An award giving body that recognizes the hard work of Filipino farmers, men and women. Today's farmers or the modern farmers includes those in the agri-business, fisher folk, animal raisers, co-ops, farm communities, scientists, the academe, Gus, both urban and rural.

Junior Chamber International, Philippines and Universal Harvester, Inc. joins together in a dream of reviving the glory of Philippine agriculture by promoting farming as noble, lucrative profession, especially for the youth. This is because the agricultural sector plays the most crucial part in our survival as a people.


According to them, most of today's generation are no longer interested in tilling their fathers land and they prefer to pursue city jobs or become doctors, lawyers and engineers. Just like our National hero Jose Rizal said, not all can be doctors. Some will have to stay and cultivate the land. That is why the JCI and Universal Harvester's mission and vision is to make agriculture attractive for the next generations and for the entire country once again. And for a long term goal JCI and Universal Harvester, Inc. wants the Philippines to excel in farming, to be competitive on the world stage, to produce more so that we can feed our own and not to rely on importing crops and produce.

According to TOFARM Project Chairman Rommel Cunanan they will give out 11 awards for this year, six for the individual category and five for the group category. They'll be looking for the awardee from Farmer, Fisherfolk, Livestock, Agri-Entrepreneur, young Farmer, Agricultural Innovator and Urban/City Farmer for the individual category while on the group category will be from Agriculture Cooperative, Family Farmer, Local Government unit, Agricuture Initiatives and People's Choice.


The nomination period for Outstanding Farmer candidates begins August 1 and will end on September 30. Validation and Judging of nominees will take place in October and November, 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.

For more information, call the TOFARM Hotline 709-5001 to 54, fax 709-5006 or email info.tofarm@gmail.com.