American agricultural chemical and seed company Corteva Agriscience continues to recognize women farmers in Philippine agriculture through its Pest Management Council of the Philippines (PCMP)-Corteva Empowering Women in Agriculture Award.
For this year, Genoveva Estrella V. Antonio, a woman farmer from Pila, Laguna, was named winner of the PMCP-Corteva Agriscience Empowering Women in Agriculture Award.
Antonio was personally nominated by Dolores A. Ramirez, a National Scientist, and is recognized for her commitment to good agriculture practices and actively sharing her knowledge with fellow farmers to improve their yields.
The PMCP-Corteva Agriscience Empowering Women in Agriculture Award was established in 2019. Nominees must be women farmers in the Philippines whose primary source of livelihood is through crop farming.
Nominees are assessed across five categories, with an emphasis on good agriculture practices and supporting other farmers in their community.
Antonio accepted her award in a virtual ceremony at the PCMP Annual Conference attended by Agriculture Secretary William Dar.
“Ms. Antonio is a wonderful example of why empowering women farmers matters so much. As community leaders, they nurture and raise up all those around them. Empowering women farmers is critical to a more sustainable agriculture future," said Deepesh Sharma, Country Lead, Corteva Agriscience Philippines.
For her part, Lolita Dolores, chair of PMCP-Corteva Selection Committee, said Antonio achieves exceptional yields, keeps records of all her farm activities, minimizes inputs, and maximizes output.
"She is sought after by fellow farmers in her town for advice in rice production technologies and is an accredited producer of certified rice seeds by the Bureau of Plant Industry. She demonstrates the strength, tenacity, and resilience of a successful farmer.” Lolita continued,
“PMCP looks forward to continuing this collaborative endeavor with Corteva to recognize exemplary and empowered Filipina farmers,” she added.
Antonio did not start her working life as a farmer. Formerly employed at the International Rice Research Institute, she was widowed young and left her career as a researcher to become a farmer and raise her three young daughters. She diligently applied herself to farming, adopting new practices and good farm stewardship.