DAR Gives P5-M Worth of Farm Machineries to P’sinan Farmers

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) distributed farm machineries and equipment worth Php5 million to 15 agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations (ARBOs) from the different municipalities of the province recently.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Ma. Anna Francisco of DAR-Pangasinan said the distribution activity was made under the Climate Resiliency Farm Productivity Support (CRFPS) program and the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) project of DAR.

“This will improve farm productivity and increase the income of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in a sustainable manner through their organizations,” she told the Philippine Information Agency.

Francisco said these farm implements will service more than 2,535 farmers in Pangasinan

She encouraged the members of the cooperatives to be diligent in convincing farmers, especially ARBs, to become members of farm cooperatives.

“The DAR can only provide additional support services to an organization if there is a growing ARB membership that will justify the need to deliver more farm machineries and equipment,” Francisco said.

Meanwhile, DAR Ilocos Regional Director Engr. Leandro Caymo said he hopes to modernize farming in the province through the grant which includes a four-wheel-drive tractor, five rice transplanters, five cultivators/tillers, and 14 irrigation water pumps.

“Alagaan at pagyamanin ang mga ibinigay sa inyong machineries sa pagsasaka para umunlad ang inyong pamumuhay,” Caymo told the beneficiaries.

Further, Roberto Gavina, head of the CRFPS program, said because the machines are mechanized, it would make farming easier and faster for the farmers.

“Mapapabilis ang trabaho namin sa lupa. Kasi kung walang traktor, maghahanap at magbabayad pa kami. Dagdag-gastos sa aming association,” said Basing Farmers Irrigators and Livestock Raisers Association, Inc. Chairman Abraham Castro.

After the turnover of farm equipment, training sessions on using and maintaining them were conducted for the farmer beneficiaries. (AMB/PIA Pangasinan)