CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga – The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PhilMecha) provided farm machineries to 13 farmer organizations in Kalinga to help lower production costs, grow crops more efficiently, and lower postharvest losses.
DA-PhilMecha distributed P44.5 million worth of four-wheeled tractors, hand tractors, combine harvesters, and recirculating dryers to 13 organizations in Tabuk City, Rizal, and Pinukpuk.
The beneficiaries are the Gumawisan Mapaco Farmers Association (FA), Liwan East FA, Mannalon ti Babalag West FA, Macutay Sadiri Farmers Credit Cooperative, Kapapayaan Liwan West Farmer Irrigators Association Inc., Manggawa Farmers Environmental Development Association, Marapi-Abaggoy Credit Cooperative, Sagpat FA, Tabesuma Cha Association, Tabuk Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative, Tanggal Swip Small Impounding Dam Association Inc., and Matagoan Agriculture Cooperative.
PhilMecha Director for Extension Rodelio G. Idago reminded the beneficiaries to always keep in mind the objective of the program.
“Gusto ko pong i-emphasize na dapat ang ating sisingilin sa ating mga miyembro ay mas mababa kumpara doon sa sinisingil ng mga private service providers para ma-attain natin ang mababang production cost,” Idago said.
The machinery is subsidized under the mechanization component of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, now in its last year of implementation.
“Napakaswerte po ninyo kasi kayo po, just in case, iyong huling batch ng mga farmers cooperatives and associations na makaka-receive ng libreng makinarya. Congratulations. This is our last year for the first phase and sana ma-maximize, ma-utilize, and ma-sustain natin ang ating mga machineries,” Idago told the beneficiaries.
Gov. James S. Edduba expressed gratitude for the assistance which is seen to cut production costs.
“Dagituy nga makinarya dakkel ti maitulong na nangnangruna ti panakagun-ud iti adadu nga apit. Through these machinery grants, it is expected that the cost of production will be cut by P3 per kilo of palay, and a reduction of the so-called production cost by up to five percent,” he added. – Iryll Gay O. Sicnao
