DAR turns over P.9M in projects to Bago, La Carlota

TWO agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (Arbos) in cities of Bago and La Carlota received a total of P900, 000 worth of Village Level Farm-Focused Enterprise Development (VLFED) projects from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Negros Occidental-South.

DAR-Negros Occidental II turned over P450, 000 worth of VLFED project to Sta. Rita Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SRMPC) in Barangay Dulao, Bago City Thursday, December 6.

It would directly benefit 54 farmer-members of the organization, the agency said in a press statement.

Another project, also worth P450, 000, was turned over to Barangay Ara-al Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association in La Carlota City Friday, December 7.

The association is comprised of 149 farmer-members.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer I Enrique Paderes said the DAR allocated budget for the trainings and construction of the processing center in each project site.

The recipient-Arbos, meanwhile, will spearhead the implementation of the project and shouldered the labor expenses.

Paderes said the project would help the SRMPC in producing and marketing their products like calamansi juice, while Baarba is producing turmeric and ginger tea.

“The VLFED is implemented in line with the agency's continuing thrusts of strengthening agri-enterprises among Arbos and their organizations, and enabling them to sustain the productivity of their awarded lands,” he added.

The DAR official stressed that establishing farm-focused community enterprises that promote value-adding activities to major and secondary crops also allows the participation of other community members in the livelihood activities within the value chain.

This will increase their household income, Paderes said, as he appealed to the farmers to treasure the “blessing” they received from the government.

Recipient-Arbos, for their part, said the project would equip them with skills on product development including packaging, labeling, and processing.

“It will give us the competitive advantage in positioning our products even for bigger markets,” SRMPC president Torino Tomaro said. (EPN)