Butuan City – To empower farmers to become more productive, the Department of Agriculture Caraga turned-over a total of 37 hand tractors with implements to various farmers associations last April 15, 2015.

In a simple ceremony held at DA Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Station in Taguibo, Butuan City, DA 13 Acting Director Edna Mabeza appealed to the recipients to maintain the farm equipments and utilized it to the fullest.

“Among hangyo kung adunay mga madaut panahon sa inyong paggamit, pahibaw-a kami aron mapangitaan ug solusyon aron dili masayang.” (Our appeal is that if something goes wrong while using the equipment, just tell us so we can look for a solution so it won’t be in vain), Mabeza emphasized.

Of the 37 hand tractors being turned-over, 29 units were under on 85:15 counter parting schemes wherein 85 % of the amount was funded by the government while the remaining 15 % was shouldered by the farmers association or cooperatives while the other 8 units were on full grant.

Nineteen (19) units goes to various farmers association or cooperatives in Agusan del Sur, 9 units to Surigao del Sur, 4 units to Surigao del Norte, 2 units to Butuan City, 2 units to the Province of Dinagat Islands and 1 unit to Agusan del Norte respectively.

Benhur Torreda, chairman of the Sto. Thomas ARB and Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative of Loreto, Agusan del Sur said that they are grateful to the government through DA for providing the needs of the farmers.

“Dako gyud ang among pasalamat kay mao ni ang among gidamgo nga among madawat” (We are grateful because this is what we are dreaming of), Torreda said.

Hand tractor is used for a faster and efficient preparation of the land before planting.

It was learned from Engr. Rene Morales, chief of the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division that more farm equipments are due to be turned-over to farmers association or cooperatives in the coming days in support to farm mechanization program. (Aurelius P. Arais/DA Info Section)