Bicol farmers are now gaining access to mechanized rice farming through the P54.6M grant farm machines under the Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Component of PHilMech.
The machinery distribution ceremony granted 29 units of Rice Combine Harvester (P43.9M); seven units of Riding-type Rice Transplanter (P8M); five units of Walk-behind Rice Transplanter (P1.6M); and eight units of Rice Reaper (P857,000) to 31 Farmer Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) in the region.
During his speech last June 24, PHilMech Director Baldwin G. Jallorina encouraged Bicol farmers to elevate their farming practices by adopting and using mechanized rice farming technologies.
“Sa tulong ng mga makinaryang ito mapapagaan ang mga gawaing bukid, mapababa ang production cost at mapataas ang ani at kita ng bawat magsasaka”, Director Jallorina said.
“Itong Combine Harvester na naibigay sa amin ay ipapagamit namin sa mga miyembro ng kooperatiba, pati na rin yung mga gustong gumamit ng serbisyo ng makinarya kahit hindi sila miyembro ng aming kooperatiba,” Maymatan Farmers MPC Chairperson Felina Sanoy shared in an interview.
“Through these farm machines we can make our farmers globally competitive,” said Buluang Communal Irrigator’s Association President Edward Yater.
Regional Executive Director Rodel P. Tornilla emphasized that this is just the beginning of the six-year project implementation and that there are still 872 DA-accredited rice farmers’ associations in Bicol region.
He also explained that FCAs who did not qualify during the first year can still apply (for grant farm machines) as long as they meet the qualifications set by PHilMech.
Mr. Randy Buen, President of Kuta Pawa Small Water Impounding Irrigation System Association (SWISA) mentioned the importance of the farm machinery they received as it will increase their productivity, solve their problem of labor shortage and speed up their farming operations.
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa patuloy na pagsuporta ng PHilMech sa mga programang pang magsasaka para sa aming masaganang ani at mataas na kita”, he proudly shared.
Article by Jhoanna Keith B. Santiago