(Photo courtesy of DAR)
BAGUIO CITY 鈥� The provincial government of Apayao on Friday said the assistance recently provided by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to farmers will help cut the cost of crop production and ensure higher gains.
鈥淢alaki ang maitutulong nga mga ganyang supply galing sa gobyerno para sa mga magsasaka dahil mapapabilis ang pagtatanim at pag-harvest nila ng pananim, at magiging cost effective din dahil mas liliit ang mga bayarin sa pagtatrabaho sa taniman,鈥� Apayao Governor Elias Bulut Jr. said in a message to the Philippine 黑料社 Agency.
(Supplies provided by the government to the farmers will substantially help in fast-tracking planting and harvesting, and also make it cost effective due to the decrease in the cost of production.)
The DAR said in a media release on Friday that it recently turned over a total of P3.3 million worth of farm machinery and equipment to six agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) in Apayao.
This move is in a bid to improve the condition of the farmers.
The agency said the support is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.鈥檚 directive to uplift the lives of Filipino farmers.
The distribution benefited 175 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) belonging to the six groups:
- Multipurpose Cooperative (CAJOMA MPC) of the municipality of Pudtol
- Sta. Lina ARB Association Inc. (STARBA) and Cagandungan Marag Valley ARB Association Inc. (CAMAVARBA) of the municipality of Luna
- Mallig Upland Farmers Association, Inc. (MUFA) of the municipality of Flora
- Guina-ang Community Development Agriculture Cooperative (GUICOMDA)
- Mawigue Proper Farmers Association, Inc. (MPFA) of the municipality of Conner.
Bulut said their province is highly agricultural, with focus on rice, corn and some fruits and vegetables.
鈥淚yong pag prepare na lang ng lupa bago magtanim kapag na-mechanize malaking bagay para sa farmers natin,鈥� he said.
(Tilling the land alone before planting can be done is a big help to the farmers.)
Bulut said the assistance has proven that a cut in the cost of production helps farmers increase their monetary yield, which their families can use for children鈥檚 education, and for medical and other basic needs.
The DAR distributed heavy-duty hand tractors, tractors with rotavators, tractor-mounted corn seeders with trailers, stand-alone corn seeders, water pumps, knapsack sprayers, rotary tillers and brush tillers.
Aside from increasing productivity, these advanced tools aim to mechanize farming operations and reduce the physical labor of farmers.