To ensure that every farm equipment will be utilized efficiently, DA-Caraga through the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) conducted series of Training and Orientation on the Operation and Maintenance and Actual Demonstration for the recipients.

A technical team from RAED conducted the said activity for San Miguel Manobo Indigenous Cultural Communities (CADT No: 116) at Brgy. Carromata, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur as recepient of one (1) unit Corn Sheller (3n1) & one (1) unit Farm Tractor (Four Wheel Drive) under Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (4K) Program.

4Ks is a comprehensive program intended to help in the development of tribal communities.

The same activity was also held for Antao Corn Growers Association members at Brgy. Antao, Carmen, Surigao del Sur, a recipient of one (1) unit Pump & Engine Set under DA-Corn Program held on September 14- 16, 2021.

Recipient farmers underwent orientation on the proper operation of the said machinery that would enable them to use it efficiently.

Also present in the activity were the farmer-beneficiaries, and representatives from the Municipal Agriculture Office, Agricultural Program Coordinating Office, 4Ks, and Corn Program.

RAED Chief Engr. Rene Morales said that the training is a regular activity of the Engineering Division to capacitate farmers.

“We are ensuring that the recipients of our interventions possess enough skills to operate it and maintain it for them to use it efficiently as intended, and by doing so we are protecting the money of the government in purchasing such equipment for the farmers,” he explained.

Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo stressed that farm mechanization is one of the priority programs of the DA as identified under the 18 key strategies under the One DA Reform Agenda in transforming agriculture towards a food-secure and resilient Philippines with empowered and prosperous farmers. (Aurelius P. Arais/DA-Caraga with reports from APCO-SDS)