SIX agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations in Southern Leyte have received various farm machines worth P1.7 million from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
The organizations are the Otama Salvacion Irrigators Association, Magkasag Farmers and Fisherfolks Association, Carnaga Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Liloan Farmers Cooperative, Magapso Irrigators Association, and the Makugihon Coco Farmers Association.
“This project under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project (CRFPSP) is a multi-sectoral effort that aims to protect the environment. It seeks to reduce the poverty level by creating sustainable employment and income-generating opportunities for the farmers,” said DAR Secretary John Castriciones.
The official said most members of the six organizations own the land they till as agrarian reform beneficiaries.
“Awarding them lands is just the first step towards more support from the government. No matter what circumstances we face, pandemic or no pandemic, we will follow the President’s national goal of improving the economic lives of farmers by pouring various support services to farm communities,” the agrarian secretary said.
“Because the machines are mechanized, it would make farming easier and faster for them. It will also greatly improve their yield and increase their income,” added DAR-Eastern Visayas Director Ismael Aya-ay during the recently held turnover and blessing ceremonies in Barangay Bangcas-A Gymnasium in Hinunangan.
In a statement, Aya-ay said the farm machines and implements will service more than 1,000 farmers.
The members were also given familiarization and maintenance training on farm machinery and equipment to equip them with new farming techniques and tools.
The farm machines and implements included a mobile rice mill, multicabs, hand tractors, water pumps, mechanical chippers, sprayers and animal feeds. (SunStar Philippines)