Maguindanao farmer groups receive farm machines

A total of 66 farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) or 11,764 farmer-members from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will directly benefit from the Php177 million worth of farm machines from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program distributed during the provincial turnover of agricultural machinery held in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte, on November 30, 2023.

The multimillion-grant includes 165 units of machines awarded to 49 FCAs in Maguindanao del Sur and 17 from Maguindanao del Norte.

“Pwede pala kaming magkaroon ng milyon-milyong halaga ng mga makinarya kahit kami ay magsasaka lamang. Natuto pa kami na mag-operate ng mga ito. Siguradong makakaahon kami sa mga utang, kaya maganda talaga ang impact nito sa amin,” said Ms. Norlyn A. Odin, President of Dado Irrigators Association.

The turnover ceremony was conducted in close partnership with MAFAR-BARMM, MAFAR-Maguindanao, and PLGU of Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte.

(FB, DA-PHilMech, December 1, 2023)