DAR distributes P48M worth of farm equipment in Kalinga
TO improve the farm production and profitability of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB) in Kalinga province, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has distributed farm machines and equipment worth P48.145 million to 24 ARB organizations in the province.
DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella lll said that a total of 960 ARB members will benefit from the distributed farm machines and equipment.
Estrella led the distribution of the P30.145 million farm machinery and equipment and P18 million worth of solar-powered irrigation system to the Kaling ARBOs during the celebration of the 73rd Founding Anniversary of Tabuk and the 22nd Matagoan Festival.
With the theme “Sustaining Gains, Building Relations, Achieving Goals toward a Smart City,” the secretary said adopting modern farm machineries was very important to assure the productivity and increasing the income of the ARBs.
“This initiative is a testament to the DAR’s commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of the farmers and ensuring that ARBs will have access to various resources for them to contribute to the growth of the local economy,” Estrella said.
Meanwhile, Rodolfo Lancaster Bungot, manager of Macutay Sadiri Farmers Cooperative, thanked DAR for providing support services to the ARBO members.
He said the support would also benefit adjoining ARB organizations and other small farmers in the community.
He said that the farm machinery and equipment (FMEs) would be operated by their organization as a business asset while users’ fees would be collected and utilized for the operation and maintenance of the FMEs.
Allen Jesse C. Mangaoang, Kalinga lone district representative, said the distribution of FMEs is inspired by the goal to make Tabuk City a smart city.
“We have to capacitate and transform our ARBs to become smart farmers.
We could only see significant gains in agriculture production through equitable distribution of modern machinery, equipment and capital assets and by introducing them to new agricultural technologies,” Mangaoang said.
The farm machines and equipment given to ARBOs include three combined harvesters with trailer, three tractors with rotovator and trailer, four tractors with corn kit and trailer, 16 grass cutters, six hand tractors, 25 mini-power tillers, one rotovator, one mini 4×4 truck and one truck.
