STA. Monica (SRP) Farmers Marketing Cooperative representative William Gueco hailed the efforts and support of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to lessen the post-harvest losses and increase the productivity of local farmers.
For one, the cooperative that he represents had been a beneficiary of the machinery and farm modernization of the DA.
"Malaki po ang naitulong ng dryer sa aming kooperatiba. Unang-una po sa ngalan po ng kooperatiba namin, kami po'y nagpapasalamat ng malaki dahil napakalaking tulong po ng naibigay na grant sa amin na Recirculating Dryer lalo ngayon natiyempo po sa panahong ganito na nag-uulan sa oras ng pag-ani ay nasasalba at naliligtas sa pagkasira o pagkabulok iyong mga ani ng aming mga miyembro at mga kapitbahay na magsasaka rito," Gueco said.
Started in April 2010, the Sta. Monica (SRP) Farmers Marketing Cooperative has 28 regular members with a total of 51.5 hectares' service area. They received several farm machineries that include hand tractor, thresher, transplanter, and recirculating dryer.
A recirculating dryer is defined as a mechanical machine that eliminates the liquid substance from the wet grains by forcing either ambient air or heated air through the grain bulk.
Gueco also guarantees other farmers' cooperatives and associations that the DA is actively providing the needed interventions and assistance to local farmers and fishers.
"Sa mga kasamahan nating magsasaka, huwag po tayong panghinaan ng loob at tuloy lang tayo sa pagtatanim. Nandito ang DA na anumang oras na maipabot natin ang ating mga pangangailangan ay matutulungan naman tayo. Gaya nitong panahon ng umuulan, mayroon silang makinarya na pantulong sa atin kung maabutan man ng ulan ang panahon ng pag-aani natin," Gueco said.
On September 14, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said that the DA, through the National Food Authority, will strengthen its palay procurement and will even take the "extra mile" by picking up their produce right at their respective barangays.
"We will continue to buy palay as high as P19 per kilo, at 14 percent moisture content, from our farmers to assure them of bigger earnings, and if need be pick up their produce at a designated area in their barangay," said Dar during an impromptu meeting with farmer-leaders.
Gueco said the DA remains persistent in modernizing the Philippine agriculture by transforming the agricultural sector into an advanced technology-based industry.
Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, DA-Central Luzon continues to provide farm equipment such as grains dryer and post-harvest facilities, modern technologies, technical assistance, and institutional development in able to achieve an acceleration in growth and recovery of the agri-fishery sector.
A total of 84 units of Recirculating Dryers with Biomass Furnace under the rice program were awarded to the various cooperatives and associations in different corners of Central Luzon: 7 units for 2015, 7 units for 2016, 20 units for 2017, 20 units for 2018, 10 units for 2019, and 20 units for 2020.