The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has recently signed a memorandum of agreement with Department of Agriculture (DA) and Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) for the establishment of sugar block farms in the agrarian reform communities (ARC) in sugarcane producing areas.
Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Virgilio M. Acasili said the sugarcane block farming project will be implemented in three identified areas within the municipalities of Tuao, Piat and Solana, Cagayan.
Acasili said the sugarcane block farming project is an intensified consolidation of awarded lands to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) with three (3) hectares or less to be integrated into 30-50 hectares through different schemes such as partnership, joint venture and sharing while preserving indivisual ownership.
He said that the program aims to make local sugar production cost efficient and profitable by increasing yield per hectare.
Prior to the MOA signing, a series of consultative meetings and assessments were conducted between DAR, DA and SRA.
The Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs)/Sugarcane planters of Pinoy Bagong Pag-asa Cooperative of Tuao, Villarey Agri-Producers Cooperative of Piat and Bantay Farmers Producers Cooperative of Solana also participated in the meetings.
The assessments would be used as basis for drafting their Organizational Enterprise – Needs and Design Assessment (OE-NADA) to facilitate the delivery of support services to sugarcane farmers.
Global Positioning System (GPS) mapping was also done in the area in partnership with SRA for land preparation, planting, fertilization and harvesting.
Part of the initial activities is to prepare the area for soil sampling and eventually soil conditioning to determine and mark the planting of sugarcane.
“We are doing everything for sugar cane farmers to be equipped and acquire necessary learnings and skills to be applied in their respective agrarian reform areas,” Acasili added.(marvitbulan)
Posted By: Lynne Pingoy
