By Christine Cudis/ Philippine News Agency
The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PhilMech) distributed on Thursday over P187 million worth of farm machinery to areas in Mindanao.
Some 36 farmer cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in the province of Bukidnon were awarded some P114 million worth of various rice machinery under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program.
The turn-over ceremony was held in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
DA-PhilMech said a total of 100 pieces of rice machinery were distributed and expected to benefit around 5,616 farmer members.
Municipalities and cities covered were Cabanglasan, Maramag, Valencia City, Quezon, Manolo Fortich, Impasug-ong, Malaybalay City, San Fernando, Don Carlos, Kitaotao, Maramag, Kalilangan, and Pangantucan.
Meanwhile, some P73.7M worth of machinery grants were distributed to 50 qualified FCAs in the province of Zamboanga del Sur also under the RCEF Mechanization Program.
According to DA-PhilMech, these farm machinery are expected to benefit around 7,800 farmer members in the province.
Municipalities and cities covered under this distribution are Pagadian City, Mahayag, Bayog, San Pablo, Labangan, Ramon Magsaysay, Tukuran, Aurora, Sominot, Molave, Tambulig, Dumingag, Dumalinao, Guipos, Tigbao, Kumalarang, and Dimataling.
Earlier this week, the DA also distributed over P186.81 million worth of farm inputs to rice farmers in South Cotabato.
The release of funds, which took place from Nov. 16 to 17, is aligned with the department’s RCEF-Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) Program.
The RCEF-RFFA seeks to help over 13,000 South Cotabato-based rice farmers using lands of 2 hectares or less by giving them PHP5,000 worth of direct cash assistance.
The DA said it is confident it will hit another record in palay (unhusked rice) production this year.
It said the interventions, continued fund support from rice tariffs, and favorable weather are major factors that guarantee a high yield for the remaining months of 2021.
Through the various interventions to rice farmers, Agriculture Secretary William Dar is eyeing to hit the 20-million metric tons rice production this year. (PNA)-rir
