A total of 18 farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) of Negros Oriental received 85 units of various agricultural machinery and postharvest facilities under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program during the provincial turnover held on February 23 at the Lamberto L. Macias Sports and Cultural Center, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

 

These include eight units of hand tractors, 36 units of floating tillers, 6 units of walk-behind transplanters, one unit of riding-type transplanter, 21 units of rice reapers, three units of rice combine harvesters, five units of recirculating dryer (6-tonner), one unit of single pass rice mill, and four units of mobile rice mill.

The machinery grants are expected to benefit farmers from the 14 municipalities in Negros Oriental and adjacent towns.

 

Meanwhile, as part of the establishment of info-hubs, one unit of smart TV was awarded to Bayawan Multi Purpose Agricultural Kilusang Bayan (BMAKB). Smart TVs can be a tool of the model FCAs in conducting Knowledge Sharing and Learning activities under the RCEF Rice Extension Services Program (RESP). (Joe Ruedas, FB DA-PhilMech)