Bago City, Negros Occidental, has been recognized as the top rice producer for 2024, contributing significantly to the province’s food security.
With an average yield of 4.27 metric tons per hectare, the city recorded a total rice production of 123,231 metric tons across 29,012 hectares. This achievement earned Bago the title of Top Yielder LGU in Rice Production during the Rice and Corn Day of the 29th Panaad sa Negros Festival 2025.
City Agriculturist Marvin John Blance credited the success to improved seed varieties, modern farm machinery, and effective pest management. “Hybrid and certified seeds have better resistance to pests and diseases and adapt well to local conditions,” he said. He also emphasized the benefits of mechanization in increasing productivity and reducing labor costs.
The city government supports farmers through training programs and extension services, while the Department of Agriculture provides financial aid through fertilizer discount vouchers.
Bago City, known as the Rice Granary of Negros Occidental, produces 30 percent of the province’s rice output. It previously received the DA Rice Achievers Award for three consecutive years from 2018 to 2020.