TO boost the production of corn and peanuts in the province of Cotabato, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently turned over livelihood support facilities to two agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).
Members of the Sitio New Alimodian Peace Zone Multi-purpose Cooperative (SNAPZ-MPC) in Banayal, Tulunan received common service facility and production inputs for their peanut and corn production worth P450,000.
The same cost in the form of support services, composed of one unit of corn sheller, four units of collapsible dryers, and 10 bags of organic compost, corn seeds and training went to the Cadiis Farmers’ Association, from Barangay Cadiis, Carmen.
DAR Cotabato Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Charish Paña said in a statement that the facilities were provided to help improve the farm productivity and increase the income of the members of the two ARBOs in a sustainable manner through their organizations.
“We hope that you will do your best to take good care of what DAR has provided you. May these facilities inspire you to work harder to improve the quality of your living,” Paña said in her message during the turn-over ceremony.
The support services projects were provided through Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project (CRFPSP)-Sustainable Livelihood Support.
CRFPSP Regional Pointperson Maria Cecilia Machan said the projects would help address food security issues by providing livelihood support in the form of farm machines and equipment, farm inputs, and capacity development interventions.
“The DAR will continue to monitor this project and we expect that the ARBs will fulfill their responsibilities as stated in the trust agreement we have established,” Machan said.
“We will strive harder to manage and make all the machines and inputs become instruments in making our lives better,” SNAPZ-MPC President Jessie Capasgardo said for his part.
