JCI Philippines and Universal Harvester, Inc. (UHI) today launched the The Outstanding Farmers Awards (TOFARM) awards 2012 — The Outstanding Farmers of the Philippines recognition program — for the most noteworthy achievers and achievements in the agriculture sector of 2012.
The nationwide awards program cites the achievements of both public and private entities, the traditional and modern farmers, fisher folk, animal raisers, cooperatives, farm communities, organizations, scientists, the academe, LGUs and public employees, as well as business entities in rural and urban communities.
The TOFARM Awards Program is the special tribute set by the Junior Chamber International-Philippines for the agricultural sector believed to be the main driver of development in the country.
The TOFARM Awards aimed to foster the steady increase of youth venturing into the agriculture, invigorating investment and scientific advancement to achieve sustainable food supply in the country.
Randolf  Ivan Ruste of National President of JCI Philippines said, “We have found our perfect fit in pursuing our common vision of helping the Filipino farmer, because we are both concerned in helping our farmers and we are working together for better urban-rural relations through a keener understanding of agricultural concerns.”
UHI, a progressive Filipino company, is involved in the direct manufacturing, local distribution and exportation of a number of world-class quality fertilizers. “We are passionately pursuing our mission of reviving Philippine agriculture by promoting farming as a noble, lucrative profession and a key pillar in nation building,” said Mrs. Milagros Ong-How, UHI Executive Vice President. “Through these Awards, we also want to excite rural and urban youth about farming. We want them to see it as a viable, highly rewarding career and a great way to help their country.”
The UHI lady executive said her dream is for the Filipino youth to go back to the land and revive its promise besides just aspiring towards high-paying jobs in the city.
“Today’s farmer faces both great challenges and wonderful opportunities. With assistance, they can turn the agriculture sector around so it can fulfil its main goal of achieving food sustainability for present and future generations. Many farmers now are entrepreneurs engaged in agribusiness that deals with various aspects of farming, including technology, farm implements, fertilizers and insecticides that will raise the volume and quality of crops while taking care not to violate  environmental regulations. There is a bright future for the youth in farming,” Mrs. How added.
JCI and UHI will give out 11 awards this year, said TOFARM Awards Chairperson Rommel Cunanan: six in the individual category and five in the group category. These are : Farmer, Fisherfolk, Livestock, Agri-Entrepreneur, Young Farmer, Agricultural Innovator and Urban/City 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 will begin on 01 August 2012 and will end on 30 September 2012. 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.
