LUNA, Apayao – Provincial Agriculturist Prudencio Bosing together with the Regional Corn Coordinator Gerardo Banawa spearheaded the turn-over of new sets of agricultural farm machineries under corn and rice programs to qualified beneficiaries of the Province of Apayao on September 21 at the Department of Agriculture – Research Outreach Station here.
Two (2) combine harvesters costing P3.3M each were handed to the Panay Corn Cluster and Bukol Farmer’s Associations of the Municipalities of Sta. Marcela and Flora, respectively. Cassava tractors, P2.4M each, were awarded to Namnama ti Tamalunog Farmer’s Association of Flora and Ilocano-Igorot Upland Farmer’s Association of Sta. Marcela.
Among the other farm machineries and postharvest facilities distributed under the Corn Program of the province to qualified association and/or organization are: two (2) corn planters; two (2) hammer mills; two (2) vacuum pack sealers; (3) mechanical corn shellers or dehuskers; and 13 open source pumps. Under the Rice Program, 13 units of water pump were distributed.
Bosing challenges the beneficiaries to be more productive through the aid of these modern agricultural machineries which were provided by the DA-Cordillera Administrative Region.
In the poverty alleviation program of the province as one of the main thrusts of Governor Elias C. Bulut, Jr., the needs of the farmers are being considered and addressed upon. Bosing said the provisions of these new machineries will embolden the farmers to attain better harvests.
However, Bosing aims for more for the Iapayaos. The demand for the conception of cooperatives that are receptive to the needs of the farmers are now being sought. “The Provincial Agriculturist is dreaming that in the near future, there will be viable grain cooperative that competes with private traders in terms of buying price for our agricultural produce that hastens agricultural development in the province,” Bosing stressed.
According to Provincial Corn Program Coordinator Bernardo Bareng, the beneficiaries are thankful for the support of the province in facilitating their request. Bareng is hopeful that through the aggressive drive of the present administration of Apayao, more farmers are to be aided not only in terms of state of the are machineries but also through other programs of their office such as seminars and provisions of technical assistance.
Under the Rice Program of the Province, Provincial Rice Coordinator Romulo Padirayon, Jr. said there were already about 142 turned over agricultural machineries this year and that more to come upon completion of the needed documents and validation of target beneficiaries.
The PGA and Municipal Government Units officials and employees along with the beneficiaries expressed their full appreciation to the personnel of DA-CAR for coming even if President Duterte proclaimed September 21 as “protest day,” a non-working day for government employees. Banawa together with Regional Corn Staff Crissa Genice Datic, Elmerlyn Amoas and Samuel Alboc did not postpone the scheduled activity and rather proceeded to Apayao to facilitate the turn-over. Also with the team is Engr. Rose-ann Acunin from the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division Staff and Rice Program staff Jennifer Cudal.
By GERRIAHZON S. SEBASTIAN
