THE 8th Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards (BLAJA) is inviting journalists from the tri-media—print, radio and television—for its search for the best agriculture stories, photos, TV and radio segments.

The Bright Leaf Awards is a nationwide search for the year’s best stories that were aired or published between September 1, 2013 and August 31, 2014.

This competition honors the exceptional pieces of journalists that were published and broadcasted that brought to the fore developments, innovations and issues in the agriculture industry that either contributed to the economic advancement of a community or inventions that have the potential to boost agricultural growth.

BLAJA’s roadshow has already made stops in Lucena City, Cebu, Davao, Dagupan, Naga, Baguio and Cagayan de Oro.

These provincial sorties saw an increasing number of journalists attending year by year, a testimony to the high awareness of the project as well as to the integrity and credibility of the competition.

The roadshows were held in Lucena, Cebu and Naga for the first time this year to reach out to more journalists from Luzon to Mindanao.

In this year’s visit to the various regions, the audience listened with great interest as they were told of the different categories which include Agriculture Story of the Year; Tobacco Story of the Year; Best Television Program or Segment; Best Radio Program or Segment; Agriculture Photo of the Year; Tobacco Photo of the Year; Best Regional News story; Best National News Story; Best Regional Feature News Story; Best National Feature Story; and The Oriental Leaf Award.

The journalists fielded various queries that would help them in the crafting of their possible entries, they were also excited to hear about the prizes.

Still to come are visits to Vigan, Laoag and Tuguegarao. And, of course, a not-to-be-missed session in Manila.

Participation in The Bright Leaf Awards is free of charge. Contestants can submit as many stories in any of the categories but no story can be entered into more than one category.

Entries may be in English or any of the Philippine regional dialects. For entries that are not in English, participants are required to provide an English translation.