Efforts to improve farmers’ agricultural production got a big boost as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) turned over 21 farm machineries worth P3.7 million to farmers’ cooperatives in Ilocos Norte.
The farm machines consisting of 13 hand tractors, six rice threshers and two rice reapers were turned over to 20 cooperatives where around 3,000 are agrarian reform beneficiary members.
“These mechanized farm implements will greatly increase farmers’ yield. And if their yield is bigger, their household income will be bigger too,” said Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Vic Ines.
Ines explained that the farm implements were given as “equipment grant” which will be operated by farm cooperatives as a business asset where user fees will be collected and will be utilized for the operation and maintenance of the farm equipment.
The project is being implemented under DAR’s Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS), which aims to transform ARBs into viable entrepreneurs by providing them support services to increase their income and farming capabilities.
“Under ARCCESS, we will also teach farmers agri-business technologies to help them establish farm enterprises and gain access to credit and better markets,” said Ines.
Posted By: Lynne Pingoy
