Amas, Kidapawan City -North Cotabato farmers will have a greater chance to advance in production as they receive multi-million worth of farm machineries.
A total of P163M worth of farm machineries were turned-over to North Cotabato farmers on Thursday, February 11, 2021 by the Department of Agriculture Philippine Center for Post Harvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PhilMech).
These include: 36 units of four wheel tractor; 39 units hand tractor; 80 units of floating tiller; 1 unit precision seeder; 11 units walk behind transplanter; 6 units riding transplanter; 18 units reaper; 39 units combine harvester; 16 units axial flow thresher; and 12 units mobile rice mill.
Sixty nine (69) farmer associations of Cotabato Province or some 12,022 farmer-members will benefit from the said program which is under the 2019-2020 Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) – Mechanization Component.
This aims to increase rice farmers’ productivity, profitability and competitiveness through advance technology and appropriate way of production and post-production mechanization.
Agriculture Undersecretary for Regulations and Infrastructure Zamzamin L. Ampatuan who led the ceremonial distribution lauded Cotabato province for its remarkable accomplishments not only in preserving its heritage but most especially in the field of agriculture.
“Cotabato Province is not only the melting pot of ethnic culture but also the melting pot of development especially in terms of agriculture. This province is one of the top producers of various agricultural products in Mindanao,” Usec Ampatuan said.
He also stressed that the Department of Agriculture and the Provincial Government of Cotabato is working hand in hand to help farmers by equipping them to become more productive, efficient and innovative.
Meanwhile, PhilMech Director Baldwin G. Jallorina who also graced the said activity urged farmer associations to take good care of the resources given by the government for them to be able to maximize its benefits.
Provincial Government prioritizes agriculture programs
Board Member Philbert G. Malaluan who represented Cotabato Governor Nancy A. Catamco reiterated to stressed that programs for agriculture sector are among of the top priorities of the provincial government.
He also thanked the Department of Agriculture for its strong support to the provincial government’s initiatives in agriculture.
Based on 2021 approved budget, the provincial government allocated a total of P135.4M for agricultural programs and projects to be implemented by the Office of Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) this year.
Also present during the ceremonial distribution were 3rd District Representative Jose I. Tejada, and Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Agriculture Chair BM Krista Piñol Solis.//pgo-idcd//
