Women advocates feted as agriculture champs by DA

Boracay Island- The Department of Agriculture-Western Visayas recently hailed Maria Ninfa Desiree Segovia, 56, who chairs the Boracay Island Producers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, as a champion of gender equality and community leadership.

Segovia was the regional wimer feted by the DA during the 2024 Gawad Parangal held in Iloilo City. Three other rural women have also been recognized.

Aside from Segovia, the DA also cited Fatima Ebanen of Igbaras, Iloilo; Beatriz Latimoso of San Carlos, Negros Occidental; and Nieva Dela Torre of Maayon, Capiz.

DA -Western Visayas Technical Director Zarlina Cuello, in her message, said their Gender and Development System culminated their search for outstanding rural women by honoring women in rural areas who have shown exemplary performance in agriculture or fishery and contributed positively to women empowerment, rural development, and food security.

“As we highlight the significant contributions of the regional winners, we continue calling for action or concerted effort to rebuild food systems from the ground, focusing on empowering rural women to produce and distribute diverse and healthy food and create innovation for rural enterprise development,” she said.

“Helping the community while preserving the environment, Segovia provided livelihood to residents, particularly women from 31 barangays and sitios of Malay, Aklan. Aside from these noteworthy efforts, Desiree continues to help her community by leading various initiatives aimed at rural and countryside development,” Cuello added.

“It is very inspiring for our DA to have a program like this for women. Thank you so much for believing in us, for believing in me,” Segovia said in her response.She said she did not expect the award, adding that it was her first time to be given such recognition.She called on women, youth, and those with the capacity to help not to give up on helping farmers and the fisherfolk.