VARIOUS rice farmer cooperatives and associations in Negros Occidental have received a total of P168 million worth of rice farm machinery and equipment under the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Philippine Center for Postharvest Development Mechanization (PhilMec) Director Baldwin Jallorina led the distribution of the at the Panaad Park in Bacolod City on Thursday, November 11.
The provincial government, in a statement, said the agricultural machinery distributed included 36 units of four-wheel tractor, 24 units of rice combine harvester, 13 units of riding type transplanter, and five units walk-behind transplanter.
This project aims to reduce the cost of rice production and reduce postharvest losses, which will eventually help the farmers increase their productivity and income, it said.
The implementation of the project is through the collaborative effort of the DA, PHilMech and provincial government, it added.
The recipient-farmer cooperatives and associations are those from San Carlos City, Calatrava, Don Salvador Benedicto, Sagay City, Cadiz City, Murcia, Victorias City, Bago City, Valladolid, Pulupandan, San Enrique, Pontevedra, La Carlota City, Hinigaran, Moises Padilla, La Castellana, Isabela, Binalbagan, Himamaylan City, Kabankalan City, Ilog, Cauayan, Sipalay City, Candoni, and Hinoba-an.
Lacson thanked the DA and PHilMech for the projects given to Negrense farmers, as he stressed that the agricultural sector plays an important role in recovering from the pandemic by ensuring strong food value chains and promoting a vibrant rural economy.
“It is fair and reasonable to further equip the farmers with projects that will help them in rice production, as they play a major role in food security,” the governor added.
Also present during the activity were Third District Board Member Andrew Montelibano, Sixth District Rep. Genaro Alvarez, Jr., Mayor John Rey Tabujara of Cauayan, Mayor Alfredo Maranon III of Sagay City, Arjay Venus from the Office of Senator Cynthia Villar, EngineerAlbert Barrogo of DA-Western Visayas, and Officer-In-Charge Negros Occidental Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Dina Genzola, among others.