THE Department of Agriculture (DA), through its rice program, has turned over P2.8 million worth of farm machinery, equipment and rice seeds to 13 farmer's and irrigator's associations in Zamboanga City, officials said Friday, November 20.
Arnulfo Estrada, DA-Zamboanga City agricultural program coordinator, said the recipients, who are from the second district, received one farm hand tractor, one rice reaper, one floating tiller, two riding-type transplanters, one rice thresher and six knapsack sprayers.
Estrada said the distribution of machinery and equipment, which was held Tuesday, November 17, in Manicahan village covered court, was made possible through the DA Rice Program-Agricultural Machinery, Equipment and Facilities Support Services (AMEFSS).
The recipients were Bolong San Isidro Irrigators' Association (IA), Manicahan Busog and Tadtaran IA, Preza Curuan IA, Curuan IA, Vitali IA, Zone 3 Bunguiao IA, Luuk Madalum Farmers' Association (FA), Lower Tigbao FA, Camino Nuevo FA, Mampang Irrigated FA, Tictapul IA, Sitio Dabuy IA, Lower and Upper Quiniput IA, and Sibulao-Mangusu-Vitali IA.
Estrada said a share of 56 bags of rice seeds out of the 90 bags for Zamboanga City were also distributed to Curuan and Vitali agricultural districts as recovery and rehabilitation support under the Rice Program's Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM).
Estrada noted that the rice farms in the two agricultural districts have been affected by consecutive typhoons that hit the country since October, this year.
"We are always ready to provide the farmers with seeds because we have buffer stocks which come in at times of crisis, like these heavy rains, flash floods and other natural disasters," Estrada said.
Councilor Al-Jihan Edding, City Council's Committee on Agriculture chairperson, also empowered the farmers with her disclosure of the increased budget for the agri-fishery sector for the year 2021 citing the procurement of three heavy-duty tractors with implements and the enhanced livelihood projects for the farmers and fisherfolk.
Nathan Dawang, Preza Curuan IA president, expressed gratitude to DA and the City Government for the farm assistance given them on behalf of the association beneficiaries. (SunStar Zamboanga)