By Kenneth Marcos 
Fresh from being honored as one of the country’s most outstanding farmers, Mang Rudy returned to his rice field—his medal still hanging proudly in his home. But behind every award like his is a long process that the Department of Agriculture (DA) now seeks to improve.
Following the success of the 50th Gawad Saka: Parangal sa mga Natatanging Magsasaka at Mangingisda, the Department of Agriculture is now conducting a Post-Evaluation Activity to strengthen the transparency and integrity of its long-running awards program.
From September 3 to 5, 2025, officials and evaluators from DA Regional Field Offices (RFOs), the Gawad Saka National Technical Committee (NTC), and the Board of Judges are gathering at the Agricultural Training Institute – Rural Development Education Center in Quezon City to carefully review the entire selection and awarding process.
Now on its 50th year, Gawad Saka continues to honor outstanding Filipino farmers, fisherfolk, agri-preneurs, and community leaders who have made significant contributions to the country’s food security and rural development.
But even a program with decades of tradition must evolve.
The DA said this post-evaluation activity is part of its commitment to maintain the quality, credibility, and fairness of the awards. Participants will revisit how candidates are selected, how they are evaluated, and whether the current guidelines still reflect the realities faced by the agricultural and fisheries sectors today.
Key discussions will include improving category-specific criteria, ensuring regional representation, and refining the evaluation tools used during field validations and interviews. Suggestions from focal persons, judges, and technical committee members will play a major role in shaping future Gawad Saka cycles.
According to DA officials, strengthening the process will also help uncover and recognize more grassroots champions—especially those in remote or underserved areas who often lack access to programs despite their success in farming and fishing.
“Gawad Saka is not just about giving awards. It’s about sharing best practices, inspiring communities, and giving hope to the next generation of food producers,” said one evaluator at the event.
Participants at the post-evaluation session include representatives from all DA Regional Offices, Gawad Saka NTC chairpersons, and the National Secretariat. The activity also serves as a platform for capacity-building and exchange of experiences among evaluators and implementers nationwide.
The Gawad Saka Awards Program, launched in 1970, has become a symbol of excellence in Philippine agriculture. Past awardees have gone on to lead cooperatives, innovate farming systems, and advocate for farmer rights.
As the DA looks ahead to the next 50 years of the program, this review ensures that it continues to live up to its purpose: uplifting farmers and fisherfolk who embody innovation, hard work, and service to the nation.
With every improvement in the process, the Gawad Saka stands to become not just a recognition—but a movement for genuine change in Philippine agriculture.
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