FARMER cooperatives and associations in Bataan received a total of 59 units of Mobile Flash Dryers from the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Central Luzon under the Rice Program.

Started in the 2017, the initiative project aims to meliorate the productivity in the agriculture sector and boost the profit of the farmers in the country.

One of the recipients, chairman Resty Santos of Pentor Farmers Association, expressed his gratitude toward the DA's assistance to the local rice farmers.

"Natanggap po namin ito noong October 2019. Itong binigay ng Department of Agriculture Region 3 ay napakalaking bagay sa aming samahan. Unang una, hindi natin nababasa ang panahon lalo na kapag ganitong panahon na tag-ulan talagang hindi kami makapagpatuyo sa solar dryer kaya kailangang-kailangan namin ang machinery katulad ng Palay Dryer. Satisfied at talagang nagpapasalamat kami sa pamunuan sa biyayang ibinigay," Santos said.

Established in 2015, the association has a total of 110 hectares service area located inBarangay New San Jose, Dinalupihan, Bataan, and currently has 78 regular members.

On August 5, Agriculture Secretary William Dar delivered the State of Philippine Agriculture Report, which outlined the major strategies of the department to strengthen and improve the country's agriculture sector.

He mentioned the continuation in modernizing the sector by intensifying the promotion and efficiently providing modern technologies.

"I stand proud right in front of you knowing that as a department, we did our best! And that best must continue because the work continues. Together, we shall rise above those fears. No pandemic can bring us down," Dar said.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, DA continues the relentless effort in achieving the goal of a food-secured and resilient country whereas local farmers and fisheries are empowered and valued in the new thinking for Philippine agriculture.

Agricultural modernization is one of the paradigms that aims to transform and develop the agricultural sector from traditional labor-based into an advanced technology-based.

By using modern technology, modernization of farms will serve as the driving force behind economic growth and guarantee its competitiveness that covers all various crops, including those with export potential in processed or value-added form like coffee, cacao, cassava, tropical fruits and rubber, among others.