Christine H. Cabiasa
correspondent

This year’s search for best agriculture stories through Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards of 2013 is now officially opened.

David Isaac Buenaventura, project director of Cozoz, Inc. in a statement said that the award honors the best agriculture stories and photos in tri-media across the country and the competition has become the most anticipated celebration of the country’s best agriculture journalists.

Bright Leaf on its 7th year continues to seek out the best published agriculture stories in print, radio, and television emphasizing special attention on their impact on current agricultural issues and best farming practices on environmental safety and crop sustainability.

The award encompasses two categories, the minor and major. For the minor category, it includes best agriculture TV program/segment, best agriculture radio program/segment, best agriculture news story (national and regional level), and best agriculture feature story (national and regional).

Meanwhile, on the major category, agriculture photo of the year, tobacco photo of the year, agriculture story of the year, tobacco story of the year, and the oriental leaf award.

“Bright leaf aims to heighten tri-media practitioners’ participation by actively searching for a bigger number of nominees from more agricultural provinces while at the same time sustaining and strengthening ties with previously covered provinces”, Buenaventura said.

The search is open to all professional Filipino journalists, at least 18 years old residing in the Philippines and at the time of the submission of entries. Entries submitted should only be published, aired or broadcast locally between September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2013. Contestants can submit as many stories in any of the categories but no story can be entered in more than one category.

Submission of entries begins on April 30 and ends on August 31, 12:00 noon. Entry forms can be downloaded from their website, www.thebrightleafawards.com.