A total of 24 farmersβ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in the province of Aklan received Php54 million worth of various agricultural machines and postharvest facilities under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program during the provincial turnover held on June 9, 2023, at Tangalan Sports and Cultural Center, Poblacion, Tangalan, Aklan.The 84 units of machine include 15 units of hand tractors, 21 units of floating tillers, nine units of walk-behind transplanters, one unit of precision seeder, 26 units of rice reapers, nine units of rice combine harvesters, four units of recirculating dryers, and one unit of multi-pass rice mill (1tph).
The machinery grants are expected to benefit the FCA-beneficiaries from municipalities of Balete, Kalibo, New Washington, Lezo, Ibajay, Malinao, Nabas, Numancia, Altavas, Banga, Batan, Libacao, Madalag, and adjacent towns.
βPinapaabot namin ang aming pasasalamat sa PHilMech sa pagbibigay ng mga farm machinery na ito. Naniniwala kaming ang mga machinery na ito ay makatutulong lalo na sa mga asosasyong nakatanggap nito,β said Ms. Evelyn Sioco, chair of the Nalook Farmers Association.
Senator Cynthia A. Villar, Senate Chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reforms shared her message through a video presentation. PHilMech Interim Director for Operations, Joel Dator represented PHilMech Director IV, Dr. Dionisio Alvindia.
A total of 85 farmersβ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) and local government units (LGUs) from the province have already benefitted since the beginning of the program. (Joe Ruedas, FB, DA-PHilMech)
