Zamboanga del Sur farmers receive P126.2-M machinery

THE Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) distributed P126.2 million worth of machinery providing a boost in the livelihood of farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in 15 of the 26 towns and the lone city in Zamboanga del Sur.

The distribution of 72 units of machinery Wednesday, March 1, 2023, by PhilMech is under the mechanization program of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) that benefitted 47 qualified FCAs.

PhilMech is an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture.

The 72 units of machinery distributed during a simple program included hand tractors, floating tiller, walk behind transplanter, rice combine harvester, recirculating dryers, mobile rice mill and multi-stage rice mill.

The 47 beneficiary FCAs are from the towns of Labangan, Dumingag, Sominot, Ramon Magsaysay, Aurora, Molave, Mahayag, Tambulig, Tukuran, Dumalinao, Guipos, Tigbao, Lakewood, Bayog, Dimataling and Pagadian City.

The machines distributed were procured under the RCEF 2021-2022 Funds.

During the program, Zamboanga del Sur Governor Victor Yu reiterated to the farmers the advantage of the machinery handed to them, especially in increasing their production and income.

Zamboanga del Sur First District Representative Divina Grace Yu pledged her full support to the agriculture sector together with the national government that provided programs such as RCEF that benefit the farmers in the province. (SunStar Zamboanga)