SunStar DA stresses role of farmers, AEWs to sustain rice sufficiency NEGROS. DA-Western Visayas officials and personnel led by Regional Director Remelyn Recoter (eight from left) during the 2019 Rice Achievers Awards in Iloilo City on Monday, December 14, 2020. (Contributed Photo) + December 15, 2020 THE Department of Agriculture (DA) in Western Visayas has stressed the need to sustain rice sufficiency in the country amid the prevailing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. DA-Western Visayas Director Remelyn Recoter, who spoke at the 2019 Rice Achievers Awards in Iloilo City on Monday, December 14, emphasized the huge role of rice farmers and agriculture extension workers (AEWs) in this bid. Recoter reiterated the statement of Agriculture Secretary Dar that "the threat of Covid-19 is real, but the threat of hunger is also real."