Maguindanao farmers to benefit from RCEF machines
A total of 5,986 farmer-members of qualified farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in Maguindanao will directly benefit from the machinery grants under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Mechanization Program after its distribution at the BARRM Integrated Agriculture Research Center (BARRMIARC), Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte, on March 14, 2023.
Around 117 units of farm machines worth Php115.12M were distributed to 45 FCAs under the 2021 and 2022 funds.
The line-up of machines includes hand tractors, floating tillers, walk-behind transplanters, rice combine harvesters, mobile rice mills, 12-T recirculating dryers, multi-stage rice mills, precision seeders, and riding-type transplanters.
FCA beneficiaries were from Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Parang, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, Ampatuan, Buluan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hoffer, Datu Paglas, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Guindulungan, Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun, Mangudadatu, Mamasapano, Pagalungan, Paglat, Pandag, Radja Buayan, Shariff Aguak (Magonoy), South Upi, Talayan and, Talitay.
Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Special Concerns and for BARRM, Hon. Zamzamin L. Ampatuan, MAFAR Provincial Director Hon. Ronjamin M. Maulana, and PHilMech’s Interim Director for Operations, Mr. Joel V. Dator graced the turn-over ceremony.
The recipients showed excitement and expressed gratitude for the machinery grants they received from the program.
“Ito ang matagal na naming inaasam-asam, na magkaroon talaga kami ng makinarya. Kaya malaking pasasalamat namin dahil dumating itong PhilMech na nagbigay sa aming mga farmers ng liwanag. Malaking bagay po ito sa amin, dahil sa totoo lang, ngayon nag sa-suffer kami dahil hindi namin nakukuha yung target date namin sa pag-harvest ng palay dahil sa kakulangan ng manpower. Pero dahil sa mechanization na ito, ay mapapabilis ang pagpapa-ani namin ng aming mga palayan,” said Mr. Niel R. Hortelano, irrigators’ association president. (FB, DA-PhilMech, March 24, 2023)
