Two agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) from South Cotabato got the much-needed boost from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
The DAR said it recently turned over some P1.25 million worth of farm machinery and equipment (FME) to the farmers to increase their productivity and income.
The Rizal 3 SN Farmers Multipurpose Co-operative in the town of Banga received P1.025-million 4-wheel drive all-terrain tractor with a front dozer, while the Topland Small Coconut Farmers Agriculture Co-operative in Koronadal City received a P250,000 worth of hand tractor with trailer, agricultural salt, and grass cutters.
The provision of FME is anchored on the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III to boost the economic lives of farmers.
Lenny Belle Gumboc, Rizal 3 SN Farmers MPC chairperson, on behalf of all the members of the organization, received the tractor. She said the support they received is a significant milestone in their journey toward building a climate-resilient farm.
“This tractor is more than just a machinery. It embodies the hope and support to the agricultural community, empowering the cooperative to face the challenges posed by the ever-changing climate,” she said.
On the other hand, Alberto Ancuna, chairman of Topland SCFA Co-operative, said the equipment would help them adapt to the climate’s unpredictability.
The FME were provided through the DAR’s Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project, which aims to enhance and sustain the agricultural productivity of agrarian reform communities as an adaptation measure towards climate change resiliency.
In a statement, H. Roldan Ali, DAR Soccsksargen assistant regional director, said the project would help the ARBs sustain the benefits they have already received from the government.
“After we secure their tenurial rights, the DAR provides them with the necessary support to make their farmlands become productive to provide them bigger income,” he said.