DA-PhilMech, MAFAR distributes Php 205.73M worth of machinery to farmers in Maguindanao
A total of 105 farmer’s cooperative associations (FCAs) received 205.73M worth of machinery from the Department of Agriculture- Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform.
On Tuesday, March 14, Provincial Turnover and Agriculture Machinery Distribution were led by Undersecretary for Special Concerns and for the BARMM Engr. Zamzamin Ampatuan, CESO I, Joel V. Detor, Interim Director, PhilMech, Director for Agriculture Operations Engr. Ismael Guimel, Director Tong Abas of Research, Development and Extension Services, and Maguindanao Provincial Director Ronjanin Maulana, Ph.D.
The distribution of 228 units of various agricultural machinery and postharvest facilities at BARMMIARC, Simuay Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte by PhilMech is under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) that benefited qualified FCAs in Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.
PhilMech Interim Director Detor said, “Isa pong karangalan at hamon sa aming ahensiya na ang PhilMech ang trabahong ito na pinagkatiwala sa amin ng ating pamahalaan, dahil instrumento po kami upang maihatid sainyo ang pinakabago, pinakamaganda, at tunay na mapakinabangan na makinarya.”
Sa ngalan ng paglilingkod sa mga bayani ang mga minamahal nating magsasaka, wala pong hinihinging kapalit ang aming serbisyong ito, sapagkat alam namin na nararapat lamang natapatan ang sigasig ninyo na upang mapakain ang nasa 114 million Filipino sa bawat taon,” PhilMech Interim Director Detor.
The 228 units of machinery distributed during the turnover ceremony included a four-wheel tractor, hand tractor, floating tiller, Precision seeder, walk-behind transplanter, reaper
combine harvester, recirculating dryer, mobile rice mill, and rice combine harvester
Meanwhile, PD Maulana delivered his message and said, “Sa aming minamahal naming magsasaka, kayo po ang champion at pinakaimportanteng sector ng lipunan dahil kayo ang nagbibigay ng pagkain saaming hapag kainan.”
“Ang mga makinaryang ito ay makakatulong sa inyong pamumuhay ngunit hinihingi namin sa inyo na itoy alagaan at ingatan para aabot pa sa susnod na henerasyon ng mga magsasaka sa inyong lugar,” PD Maulana added.
During Director Guimel message, he emphasizes accountability and responsibility of the farmers in accepting the farm machinery to use it to help them generate income.