By Manny Piñol
The agricultural mechanization and modernization program of the Department of Agriculture is being intensified this year with the distribution to farmers associations and cooperatives of farm implements and equipment.
On Friday, at the Western Visayas Agricultural Research Center (WESVIARC) in Jaro, Iloilo, the DA Regional Office VI turned over P67-M worth of tractors, reapers, hand tractors, turtle tillers, corn shellers, cassava grating machines and other implements which were earlier requested by farmers and stakeholders.
The farm implements and equipment were intended for the farmers groups in the provinces of Iloilo, Aklan and Capiz.
Farm equipment and machinery intended for Antique Province will be turned over to farmer beneficiaries first week of March.
Unlike in the past when farmers were asked to raise a counterpart fund of 10% of the cost of the tractors and other equipment, the DA on orders of President Rody Duterte gives the implements and equipment for free to qualified farmers’ groups.
When I assumed office as Secretary of Agriculture, I uncovered billions worth of farm equipment and implements which were not delivered to farmers’ groups because they could not put up the 10% equity.
President Duterte immediately ordered the release of the equipment.
The Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), an agency under the Agriculture Department, has also offered an easy access loaning program for farm implements and equipment which could be availed of by farmers organizations and cooperatives.
Farmers groups could buy the equipment they need by availing of the loan which has an interest rate of only 6% per year payable in eight years.
The DA is intensifying is mechanization and modernization program to promote greater efficiency in agriculture and also to cut down on post harvest losses estimated at 16% of the total production.
(Photos by DA-AFID, DA Region VI RAFID and Mayette Tudlas, DA OSEC.)
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