LUNA, Apayao – To bolster agricultural outputs and ensure food security in the municipality of Pudtol, the Department of Labor and Employment-Apayao, (DOLE) in partnership with the municipal government unit, awarded farm machinery and farming tools to the Vegetable Growers Association of Apayao (VEGAA) in Barangay Emilia, on January 29.
The equipment were provided under the Livelihood Assisted Project of the agency which seeks to empower the 50 farmer-recipients of the cooperative.
This initiative is an outcome of the strategic partnership of the DOLE and the municipal government, primarily geared at increasing vegetable yields to aid the municipality’s progress.
The units of equipment include 5 units of power tillers, 2 units of hand tractor, water pump hose, and other essential farming tools.
The Pudtol municipal government, meanwhile, commended the DOLE’s initiatives for investing in agricultural sustainability and productivity benefitting local farmers. It said this shall help augment the income of immediate beneficiaries and also extend positive economic effects to the community people.
In a statement, DOLE Apayao Provincial Head Jane Y. Adalan said the agency focuses on fostering economic growth at the grassroots level of community associations, meaning they provide foundational assistance to farmers through farm machinery services.
Pudtol Mayor Hector Reuel Pascua mentioned that the provision of machinery will aid uplift the productivity and efficiency of the cooperative’s operations. Agricultural development is one of Pascua’s major priorities for his constituents. By J. Dela Torre