In leveling-up rice farming in the region, the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Caraga delivered 50 units of Pre and Post-Harvest (PPHF) Equipment and Machinery to the Province of Agusan del Sur this week.

The said farm equipment amounting to P4.1M was delivered to Agusan del Sur Pagkain ng Bayan Compound at Bayugan City to ease the burden of the farmer recipients in claiming their farm implements due to travel restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 53 units of PPHF equipment includes rice thresher, pump, and engine set with complete accessories, transplanter, rice reaper, and granule applicator cum seed spreader.

Around 49 farmer association-recipients will benefit of the said equipment.

“The Provincial Agriculture Office of Agusan del Sur will be the one to arrange for the delivery of the said equipment to the farmer recipients,” Engineer Rene Morales, RAED chief said.

The said farm implements were funded through the DA-Rice Program-Regular Fund in support to agricultural modernization, helping the farmers attain DA’s twin goal-  Masagang Ani Mataas na Kita.

Prior to the distribution, DA Caraga conducted a training on the operation and maintenance of Farm Machineries for an efficient and optimum use of the equipment.

Regional Director Abel James I. Monteagudo earlier instructed all DA-Caraga units to facilitate fast distribution of farmer’s interventions to help attain the food sufficiency goal of the Department especially in this time of pandemic.

Aside from equipment and machinery for rice, another batch of equipment for corn and cassava, and high-value crops farmers were on the pipeline for delivery.

Under Secretary William Dar’s eight (8) paradigms of agriculture, modernization is on top of the list. (Aurelius P. Arais/DA Caraga)