In celebration of the Farmers and Fisherfolk’s Month, the Department of Agriculture – Caraga turned over today a total of P77 million worth of various farm machinery and other agricultural and fishery interventions to 219 farmers’ associations.
DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo that there is a purpose why DA provides these interventions.
“The purpose of DA’s distribution of interventions is to improve productivity and increase farmers’ income. Hopefully, these machines will really be useful in your farming endeavors.” Monteagudo said. “I urged you to take good care of the machines so that these will last longer and the government’s resources will be maximized”, he added.
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources also gave out Fiber-reinforced plastic boats and post-harvest support for fishers amounting P1.9 Million. BFAR-Caraga Assistant Regional Director Eduardo Balambao said that not everyone is privileged to receive the interventions so the recipients should also be responsible for handling and managing the equipment.
The agricultural interventions distributed includes 13-4WD tractors, 22 Hand tractors, 14 Walk-behind transplanters, 8 Combine harvesters, 10 rice threshers, 16 corn shellers, 15 Pump and Engine sets, 5 floating tillers, 1 vertical dryer, 8 Cassava Chipper, 4 Mini Corn mill, Cassava pulverizer, vegetable seeds, coffee hullers, cacao and coffee roasters, 217 Water plastic Drums, 17, Egg Incubators, 9 Portable Ultrasound for Animals (turnover to Provincial/City Vets), Drugs and Biologics, 3 Pinawa Rice Huller, 6 Vaccum Pack Sealer, grass cutters, and 20 Vermi Tea Brewer. Two warehouses were also inaugurated today as storage areas for Rice and Corn Seeds.
Junie Tiñoso of Bunawan, Agusan del Sur who received a farm tractor is grateful for the assistance their association received saying that it will really come in handy to them because now they have easy access to the machine which will lessen their farming expenses. “We used to pay as much as P5,000 per hectare for renting a farm tractor and now that we have our own, the cost will be cut in half,” Junie said.
Meanwhile, Roger Agurto, Chairman of Tidman Farmers Association said that he is thankful to the government for heeding the needs of the farmers. Their organization received a transplanter which he said will really be a big help to them not just in minimizing their work but also their expenses.
About 700 farmers and fisherfolk attended the activity at the DA Integrated Laboratories in Taguibo, Butuan City. DA celebrates May as Farmers and Fisherfolk’s Month during which time the men and women of this sector are given due recognition for their role in the country’s economic development and for feeding the whole nation. (Vanessa P. Sanchez, DA-RAFID)
