Bongabong Farmers Cooperative Sustains Organic Farming

Mina de Oro ARBs MPC (MAREBEMCO), lead recipient of DAR-ARCCESS project in Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro can now continue to produce organic fertilizer for their organic rice production in the area, following the delivery of two shredding machines.

OIC- Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Joselito Nathaniel Diaz said the shredding machines would enable the 909-strong organization to reduce its dependency to commercial fertilizer.

Diaz said the DAR Regional Inspectorate team with the TRAMAT Mercantile Inc., conducted actual hands-on training to acquaint the cooperative about the proper operation and maintenance of the shredders.

Mr. Noel Diego, technical staff of TRAMAT, discussed the main feature, basic maintenance and warranty coverage for a period of one year.

Mr. Robinson Bolanos, one of the organic rice producers in the area and a member of MAREBEMCO, said the machine would be a great help to them.

For two years, I’ve been into organic farming but due to the high cost of organic fertilizer (P350/sack), I wasn’t able to sustain the production. Manually (without the shredder machine) I produce organic fertilizer but the production is not enough”, he added.

“We are so thankful to DAR for facilitating our request for the common service facility (CSF). We promise that all these assets granted to us -the tractors and now the shredders will be managed properly”, Mr. Manuel Portugal, chairman of the cooperative said.

Business planning will be scheduled on September 22-24, 2015 to aid the farmers account all the operating expenses related to the CSF management. (Gefelyn A. Goleng)

Source: www.dar.gov.ph