Eleven qualified Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) from Lanao del Norte are the new owners of various rice machines under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program. The certificates were awarded on February 22, 2023 at the Provincial Capitol Grounds, Lanao Del Norte.

A total of 18 units of machines procured from the 2021-2022 RCEF Funds will be granted to various qualified FCAs in the province. These technologies include walk-behind transplanters, floating tillers, mobile rice mills, rice combine harvesters, recirculating dryers (12T), and multi-stage rice mills (2-3 t/h and 4-5 t/h).

These technologies are expected to benefit the rice farmers from the municipalities of Baroy, Tubod, Lala, Munai, Sapad, and Salvador.

Engr. Edgar B. Testa, head of PHilMech’s Mindanao A cluster, and Engr. Domingo R. Miranda, Assistant Chief of PHilMech’s Facility Management and Field Operations Division (FMFOD) served as the agency’s representative on behalf of PHilMech Director Dr. Dionisio G. Alvindia.

The Hon. Allan J. Lim, Vice Governor of Lanao del Norte; Dir. Carlene C. Collado, Regional Executive Director of DA-RFO X; Leticia G. Dituculan, Provincial Agriculturist of Lanao del Norte; Hon. Reinario B. Bihag, SP Member, Chair of the Committee on Agriculture; and Robert Christian C. Villacura, a representative from the office of Senator Cynthia A. Villar were also present to award the certificates to the qualified FCAs.

Dituculan said that the Php146M worth of machines is the largest rice-related assistance the province has received. (Gio Anton T. Barroga, DA-PhilMech)