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DAR turns over P2.6-M processing plant to Camiguin farmers

By Nef Luczon

November 10, 2022, 12:22 pm

<p>Google map of Camiguin Island province.</p>

Google map of Camiguin Island province.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has turned over a PHP2.6-million processing plant in one of the agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) in Camiguin province.

In a statement Wednesday, DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III said the new facility is expected to increase the productivity output and income of abaca fiber farmers under the Nagpakabana Multi-Purpose Cooperative (NMPC).

“We want to add value to the raw materials of the farmers by processing them to other products in addition to the traditional ones, thus increasing farmers’ production and incomes,” Estrella said.

Amihilda Sangcopan, DAR Undersecretary for Mindanao Affairs, said the abaca fiber, originally used for making ropes and twine, has evolved its usefulness as it now comes with a variety of by-products, including the production of handicrafts.

The processing facility is under DAR’s Convergence on Value Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment (ConVerge) and funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

DAR – Northern Mindanao Director Zoraida Macadindang said ConVerge was implemented in 2015 as a poverty-alleviation program for farmers who are agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the region.

“They (national government and the IFAD) gave us until December 2022 for the completion (of the projects); it was extended because of the (Covid-19) pandemic,” she said in a separate statement.

Macadindang said the program is funded by IFAD for PHP2.3 billion, which also includes the ARBs in Regions 9 and 11.

The DAR also turned over farm machines worth PHP995,000 to the NMPC and to the Bonbon Sagay Upland Farmers Association (BSUFA) consisting of  four mobile spindle machines, 15 abaca stripping knives, two decorticating machines, and two soil augers for the processing of abaca fiber.

The farm machines are provided under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project.

The program aims to boost farmers’ household income by modernizing their farming by providing new equipment.

Meanwhile, both NMPC and BSUFA also signed a marketing agreement with DAR and Camiguin General Hospital (CGH), which will allow the two ARBOs to supply agricultural products for the food requirements of patients in the hospital.

Estrella said the program is being implemented under DAR’s Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP), a government-led initiative aimed at mitigating hunger, providing food security, and reducing poverty in the country

NMPC chairperson Monico Lagubis said the agreement will generate additional income for the cooperative and its members.

Lolito Yamba, the BSUFA chairperson, also said CGH is assured of quality farm produce with their association as its suppliers. (PNA)

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