60 East Visayas ARB groups receive over P19-M farm implements from DAR

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA-8)
March 9, 2013

TACLOBAN CITY – Officers and members of 60 recipient Agrarian Reform Beneficiary organizations trooped to the Department of Agrarian Reform Regional Office compound on March 7 in order to personally receive the P19 million worth of modern farm equipment from DAR Undersecretary Felix Perry Villanueva.

The sudden downpour did not stop the turn over rites as the visibly over joyed ARBOs signed the acceptance documents in front of USEC Villanueva, and Finance and Administrative Director Teresita Panlilio from the Central Office and DAR-Region 8 officials, Mr. Jose Alsmith Soria, DAR 8 Information head, informed.

These farm implements according to USEC Villanueva, are given to identified ARBOs as capacity enhancement to the latter’s agricultural economic activities under the Agrarian Reform Communities Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS).

Tolosahay Upland Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TOFAMCO) Chairman Balbino Leona explained that with the new equipment given to their organization, land preparation and harvesting of rice would now be much faster and easier.

TOFAMCO is one of the two recipients in the region of the P1.2 million combine harvester, which functions as harvester and thresher, Mr. Soria said.

Mr. Balbino added that with these equipment, the organization expects to incur less expenses and earn more in their farm operations.

DAR Regional Director Eliasem Castillo disclosed that there are 97 modern farm equipment worth P19.4 million given away to 60 ARBOs regionwide.

These include 37 hand tractors; 30 threshers; 10 cultivators; eight water pumps; six flatbed driers; two reapers; two mechanical transplanters; and 2 combine harvesters.

Among the economic activities of these ARBOs that get funding support under ARCCESS, Castillo added, are rice, organic vegetable, sugarcane and cassava production and marketing.

DAR Regional Director Eliasem Castillo expressed optimism that with these equipment provided to them, the ARBOs will have higher yield from their awarded lots in the succeeding agricultural years.