LUNA, Apayao – The Department of Agriculture – Cordillera (DA-CAR) distributed Water Pump and Engine Sets, four-wheel drive tractor, combine harvester, hand tractor pull-type and mechanical rice transplanter to twenty-three qualified Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations (FCA) from various municipalities as means to aid them in their farming.
Under the rice program, the beneficiaries received 2 units of 4-wheel tractor amounting to Php 1.2 million each, 2 units of combine harvester amounting to P2 million each, 3 units of tractor pull- type amounting to P175,000 each and 3 units of mechanical rice transplanter amounting to P400,000 each.
Under the corn program, its beneficiaries received 12 units of water pump worth of Php 900,000 and 1 unit of four-wheel drive tractor amounting to Php 2 million.
The fund is made possible through the DA- CAR under the national banner programs of the DA which encompass rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock, and organic agriculture, with 6 components, including Production Support Services, Market Development Services, Extension Support, Education, and Training Support Services, Research and Development, Irrigation Network Services, and Provision of Agricultural Equipment and Facilities.
Many parts of the province still have problems on access of water for irrigation, with some areas relying solely on rain and small communal irrigation systems, and thus the aid is seen as a huge help to many farmers in the province.
These programs are implemented nationwide to promote sustainable food production.
The distribution of said various farm equipment aims to address food security, poverty reduction, and sustainable growth through more production.
During the distribution event held today September 12, 2023 in Tumog Luna, Apayao, the Provincial Office for Agricultural Services (POAS) collaborated with DA-ROS to ensure effective communication with the presidents of each FCA in every municipality.
In order to use the sets efficiently, Regional corn coordinator Gerardo P. Banawa emphasized the importance of strong camaraderie among farmers. “Dakkel a tulong agituy nga machineries para kadagiti farmers tayu tapno mapalag-an ti ubra da”.
Provincial Agriculturist Prudencio Bosing added that the provision of interventions aims to encourage them to maintain their unity and support one another in their agricultural endeavors.
It is hoped that the sets of water pumps and machineries will add more to the produce of the beneficiaries and eventually help in increasing the level of food security in the province. By Michelle Acantilado
