DAVAO CITY—Farmers in the Caraga region received anew various agricultural equipment from the government to help them cut postharvest losses and increase their income.
The farm machines distributed to farmers on Thursday at Integrated Laboratories Compound in Taguibo, Butuan City, were valued at P290 million. Some 249 farmers’ associations received the equipment that they had requested from the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The farmers’ groups received rice transplanters, tractors, rice combine harvesters, multi-crop combine harvester, corn sheller, cornmill and banana chipper. The DA also distributed seeds to planters in the region.
DA-Caraga Regional Director Abel James Monteagudo appealed to farmers to maximize the equipment so they can improve their productivity.
“The government is doing its best to serve the farmers. All we need is your cooperation,” said Monteagudo.
A DA-Caraga statement quoted one Richard Paburib, president of Jubang Irrigators Association of Bunawan, Agusan del Sur, as saying that the government nowadays “is extending its arm to help farmers.”
“I am grateful to the DA for making us a priority. The four-wheel drive tractor that we received is a big help for our association,” Paburib said.
Editha Dedumo, president of Barangay Anolingan Rural Improvement Club of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, said the use of a farm machine enabled “the women, to operate even a rice transplanter or any farm machine since it does not require too much strength to [operate].”
The DA said the provision of farm equipment will help farmers increase their income as mechanization will minimize postharvest losses. The DA said it intends to reach out to more farmers in the next round.
The distribution of agricultural equipment is part of the DA’s mechanization program to eliminate losses by giving farmers free access to appropriate production and postharvest equipment.