Esperidion T. Cruzado, Sr. of Barangay Puting Tubig was chosen as a model farmer of Calapan City after his rice farm yielded 151.17 cavans per hectare out of the targeted 150 cavans during the last dry planting season.

Mayor Doy C. Leachon, through the City Agricultural Services Department, bestowed the award on Cruzado, consisting of a P30,000 and a plaque.

Cruzado planted an IR-42 variety of rice during the dry planting season from November last year until April.

City Agriculturist Carlos Domingo said the contest was meant to encourage farmers to boost their yields.

Farmer contestants planted different varieties of rice for the contest with two categories: 1) In-Bred category, and 2) Hybrid category.

Nine farmers joined the In-Bred contest where Cruzado bagged the grand prize.

Christoper A. Luzon of Barangay Pachoca beat 14 other farmers in the Hybrid Category. He planted the Bigante rice variety, which yielded 172 cavans against target of 180 cavans.