LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) –The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) gave P1.399 million worth of agricultural machinery to rice farmers in Camarines Norte.   

The Singi Vegetable Growers Association (SVGA), a group of farmers in the town of Vinzons, received a DC-35 Rice Combine Harvester with a trailer bed and aluminum ramp just in time for the palay harvest season. 

The DAR provincial office said it provided the machinery to modernize and enhance harvesting efficiency and establish a new livelihood enterprise on common service facility rental for Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations. 

The officials and members of SVGA who will be operating the machinery have already received training in its maintenance and handling. 

Jasmin Pagao, a rice farmer from Vinzons, expressed his gratitude for the timely arrival of the combine harvester ahead of the harvest season. 

“Maraming maraming salamat po sa programa ng DAR. Dahil po sa inyo may harvester na po ang Singi Vegetable Grower Association na magagamit ng lahat ng mga magsasaka ng barangay Singi at mga karatig barangay,” Pagao said in a Facebook post.. 

(Translation: Thank you very much for the DAR program. The Singi Vegetable Growers Association now has a harvester that can be used by farmers in Singi and neighboring barangays.)

The support being provided to the SVGA goes beyond just machinery, according to Alicia A. Almacin, chief for support services at the DAR provincial office. 

Almacin said that as part of the project, SVGA members will also receive a 16-week modular training called the Farmer Field School for Rice Production, along with provisions of farm inputs.

This training is designed to equip farmers with the necessary knowledge and skills to optimize palay production, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices and maximum crop yield. (PIA5)