FARM MACHINERY. A hauling truck along with other farm equipment were distributed to agrarian reform beneficiary organizations in Ilocos Norte on Tuesday (June 22, 2021). The fund was sourced from the Department of Agrarian Reform's Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project, which aims to strengthen the capability of farmers in this part of Luzon. (Photo courtesy of Jorge Guerrero)
LAOAG CITY – When Robert Calma and fellow members of the Malampa Agrarian Reform Cooperative in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte were asked what do they wish to have as government support to their vinegar-making business, the very first that came to their mind was a hauling truck to easily transport their products.
Calma said it turned out a great surprise when personnel of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) informed them they can now have a brand new hauling truck and it is ready for pick-up.
“We did not expect that our wish was delivered quickly. We were only consulted this year and now, the equipment is with us,” said Calma citing they were used to making requests from the government and it takes a lot of patience to do follow-up until their request was finally granted.
On Tuesday, Calma’s group is among the 11 agrarian reform (AR) beneficiary organizations in Ilocos Norte that received a total of 24 common service facilities courtesy of the DAR.
These include a hauling truck, four units of four-wheeled tractor, five hand tractors and 14 diesel water pumps worth PHP6.5 million.
Aside from that, a total of PHP2,950,000 were given to them as part of the soft loan component of the program under the agency’s Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project which aims to strengthen the capability of farmers in this part of northern Philippines.
With the prevailing concerns on the agricultural condition of the country, government agencies such as DAR continue to pour in budget for farmers by helping them acquire farm machineries and equipment in order for them to remain competitive in the market.
Climate change is also at their heels as farmers need to equip themselves with knowledge and tools to produce quality crops even with erratic weather conditions.
In his speech during a simple turn-over ceremony held at the Catuguing Multi-purpose Cooperative in San Guillermo, San Nicolas town, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Vic Ines encouraged farmers to make their land productive and to continue supporting their organization as all support services from DAR will be coursed through the group. (PNA)
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