On Monday, May 27, MASIPAG lost one of its best resource and asset, Perfecto Vicente, more popularly known as Ka Pecs. The first project management coordinator of MASIPAG, Ka Pecs is considered as a pioneer in establishing sustainable agriculture and organic farming in the country. One of his important contributions is empowering farmers to reclaim their control over seeds and associated knowledge. Under his guidance, he has trained farmers to breed rice varieties, enabling them to select lines that can adapt to local conditions and whose resistance is enhanced to combat the effects of climate change, pests and diseases. His philosophies, wisdom and way of life is an inspiration for many to continue his work in improving the lives and livelihood of the Filipino farmers.
Ka Pecs is an awardee of the Gawad Geny Lopez Bayaning Filipino (2004), was cited as an outstanding farmer-scientist by the Department of Agriculture (2010) and the first recipient of the MASIPAG Lifetime Service award (2004).
You will be greatly missed Ka Pecs, but your legacy will forever remain.
For Ka Pecs’ biography, click here.
Read the MindaNews article on Ka Pecs.