NorCot ARBs get drying facility, organic fertilizers
TO improve the production of cacao and coffee of the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB) in a town in North Cotabato, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has provided them with P450,000-worth of climate-resilient drying facility, 100 sacks of organic fertilizers and capability training.
Evangeline Bueno, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) II, said that the equipment, training and organic fertilizers were given to the Lanao Kuran agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB) Cooperative of Arakan town in North Cotabato.
Bueno disclosed that the all-weather dryer will enable the cooperative to dry their cacao and coffee products all year round to make them resilient and efficient in their business operations.
She added that the provision of support services is part of the department’s effort to increase the ARBs’ climate resiliency and improve their productivity and income.
“We provided the all-weather dryer because we understand the challenge of the changing weather conditions here in the upland area of Lanao Kuran,” Bueno said.
Meanwhile, Lanao Kuran ARB Cooperative Chairman Brian Cabañas thanked the DAR for the all-weather dryer as this is an added blessing to their cooperative since their operation and production will no longer be hampered by frequent rains.
“Aside from securing our products from stray animals, the drying facility will enhance the quality of our cacao and coffee beans. Again, we are very grateful to the DAR for their continued support,” Cabañas said.
The DAR had earlier provided the cooperative with processing equipment, a hauling truck, capability training and other assistance to improve their processing center.
Emelita Mayol, OIC-PARPO I, on the other hand, urged the members of the cooperative to be mindful of the project and take good care of it.
“You are fortunate and blessed to be a recipient of this project under the DAR’s Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project to help you mitigate the effects of climate change on your crops and ensure a sustainable source of income for yourselves and your families,” she said.
