The province of Sultan Kudarat received a total of Php32,263,566 worth of farm machines under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program through the qualified farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in the province during the machinery turnover held on March 22 at the Provincial Capitol Ground, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.

A total of 47 units of rice machines were handed-out to 23 FCAs from the municipalities of Lambayong, Lutayan, Columbio, Isulan, President Quirino, Esperanza, Lebak, Bagombayan, Kalamansig, and Tacurong City.

These machines include 15 floating tillers, 9 rice combine harvesters, 8 walk-behind transplanters, 4 riding type transplanters, 4 precision seeders, 3 hand tractors, 2 rice reapers, and 2 mobile rice mills, making use of the 2022 and 2021 excess funds for RCEF.

Sultan Kudarat Governor Hon. Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu stressed how RCEF aids in the development and sustainability of the farming industry in the province.

“RCEF along with other government programs is not only geared towards development. It is geared towards peace and sustainability. With all this equipment that is prepared for you, I hope na makatulong ito sa inyong samahan at sa inyong mga pamilya na umunlad pa,” said the Governor.

Several FCAs have further extended their gratitude to the RCEF Mechanization Program for the machinery grants they received.

“Napakalaki ng aking pasasalamat sa pagdating ng aming machinery, kahit sa panaginip hindi ko nakita na makakatanggap kami ngayon. Malaki ang pagpapasalamat namin sa PHilMech at sa RCEF dahil nabigyan kami ngayon. Talagang kailangan ng mga farmers namin ito kaya’t malaki ang pasasalamat namin sa RCEF Mechanization Program sa pamamagitan ng PHilMech,” Mr. Antonio Panaligan, SAGASA Farmers Association President, expressed.

Director Joel V. Dator, PHilMech Interim Director for Operations, FMFOD Division Chief Engr. Mayville Castro, Governor Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu, Vice Governor Raden Salakuran, SB members, Regional Executive Director 12 Sailila Abdullah, Ph.D., Sultan Kudarat OPAG, and other LGU representatives graced the said provincial machinery distribution. (FB, DA-PHilMech)