BOAC, Marinduque — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has turned over new farm machinery and agricultural equipment to more than 200 farmers in this island-province.
Director Cleon Lester Chavez of DAR’s Public Assistance and Media Relations Service (PAMRS) said Friday the farmers, who are members of various Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries’ Organizations (ARBO), have received seven units of multi-tilling machine with implements and three agricultural trailers.
Chavez said the recipients included the Balagasan Farmworkers Association in Boac, Bangwayin; Farmer Beneficiaries MPC in Torrijos, Bagtingon; Upland Farmers Association of Land Occupants (BUFALO) in Buenavista; and Samahang Magsasaka ng Puting Buhangin MPC in Mogpog.
During the turnover rites on Wednesday, DAR 4-B (Mimaropa) Director Eugene Follante congratulated the recipient-ARBOs and hoped that the farm machinery would really help improve productivity in the province despite the challenges posed by climate change.
“The farm machinery is under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project of the department, which provides a range of necessary services to improve the ARBOs’ agri-enterprises and their ability to access and compete in the market,” he said.
Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PAPRO) Isagani Placido urged the farmers to continue improving the land provided to them, assuring them that the DAR central office is linking and working hand-in-hand with its regional, provincial and municipal units to provide farmers the necessary support.
“As long as you have the right attitude and willingness to be part of the program, we will always be working by your side,” he told farmers.
BUFALO chair Johnny Francisco said that “we are so grateful to be the beneficiaries of this project. We will do our part to really help not just our members but our community, as well to boost the production of our lands and increase income through this provision of machinery.”
The turnover ceremonies were spearheaded by DAR Undersecretary Karlo Bello, along with Follante and Placido, following the signing of the memorandum of agreement with the ARBO leaders.
Bello assured farmers that the department’s primary mandate is to distribute lands to qualified beneficiaries and also took time out to respond to queries by the farmer-beneficiaries.
“But our work doesn’t end with that. Different interventions under the support services program are also provided, such as the provision of support facilities and farm machinery to farmers,” he said.
