CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga(PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PhilMecha) provided farm machineries to 13 farmer organizations in Kalinga to help lower production costs, grow crops more efficiently, and  lower postharvest losses.

DA-PhilMecha distributed P44.5 million worth of four-wheeled tractors, hand tractors, combine harvesters, and recirculating dryers to to 13 organizations in Tabuk City, Rizal, and Pinukpuk .

Among the beneficiaries are the Gumawisan Mapaco Farmers Association(FA), Liwan East FA, Mannalon ti Babalag West FA, Macutay Sadiri Farmers Credit Cooperative, Kapapayaan Liwan West Farmer Irrigators Association Inc., Manggawa Farmers Environmental Devt. Association, Marapi-Abaggoy Credit Cooperative, Sagpat FA, Tabesuma Cha Association, Tabuk Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative, Tanggal Swip Small Impounding Dam Association  Inc., and Matagoan Agriculture Cooperative.

PhilMecha director for extension Rodelio G. Idago reminded the beneficiaries to always keep in mind the objective of  the program.

“Gusto ko pong i-emphasize na dapat ang ating sisingilin sa ating mga miyembro ay mas mababa kumpara duon sa sinisingil ng mga private service providers para ma-attain natin ang mababang production cost,” Idago said.

[I would like to emphasize that the fees that will be collected from the members should be lower than those collected by private service providers, so that we will attain lower production cost.]

The machinery is subsidized under the mechanization component of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund or RCEF, now in its last year of implementation.

“Napaka-swerte po ninyo kasi kayo po iyong, just in case, huling batch ng mga farmers cooperatives and associations na makaka-receive ng libreng makinarya. Congratulations. This is our last year for the first phase and sana ma- maximize, ma-utilize, and ma-sustain natin ang ating mga machineries,” Idago told the beneficiaries.

Gov. James S. Edduba expressed gratitude for the assistance which is seen to cut production costs.

“Dagituy nga makinarya dakkel ti maitulong na nangnangruna ti panakagun-ud iti adadu nga apit,” he said. [These machineries are a big help especially in achieving a better harvest.]

“Babaen kadagituy machinery grants, manamnama nga bumaba iti gastos ti production iti three pesos iti kada kilo iti pagay ken panagbaba inggana five percent ti mangkunkuna nga production cost,” Edduba added.

[Through these machinery grants, it is expected that the cost of production will be cut by P3 per kilo of palay, and a reduction of the so-called production cost by up to five percent]. (IOS- PIA-Kalinga)