IN SUPPORT to the continuous development of corn and cassava industry in the Province of Abra, the Department of Agriculture Corn Program turned over various farm machineries and equipment amounting to P3.3M to farmer-groups and local government units (LGUs) in the province.
The equipment and machineries were awarded by Secretary Proceso Alcala to beneficiaries during the Farmer’s Forum February 22, 2016 at the Abra State Institute of Science and Technology (Asist) gymnasium.
Equipment turned over were one unit of four wheel drive corn tractor, one unit corn planter, one unit cassava digger/ uprooter, one unit moisture meter, one unit mechanical corn sheller, one unit cassava grater, one unit cassava pulverizer, one unit cassava granulator cum shredder and one unit corn mill.
Five mechanical corn sheller/dehusker, two units shallow tube well and 550 kilos of Open Pollinated Variety (OPV) corn seeds were also distributed to farmer groups.
“Our crop yield particularly on white corn is gradually increasing because of the new technologies, trainings, post-harvest facilities and other farm equipment that was granted to us,” Roberto Vellido, President of the Pidigan Corn Cluster Association said.
Similar equipment and some additional farm tools like open source pump; and pilot farm mechanization and tractor pool will be awarded to Abra this 2016 to further boost the corn and cassava production in the province. (DA Cordillera)