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Ilonggo farmers get P3-M support services from DAR

ILOILO CITY (PIA) – A total of 1,850 Ilonggo farmers received P3.6 million worth of support services from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

These farmers, who are members of the seven Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBO) were given two units of turtle power tiller, a hand tractor, an abaca stripping machine, a rice reaper, a multi-purpose shredder, a 40-horsepower four-wheeled tractor, 542 bags of urea and triple-14 fertilizers.

The assistance was funded under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support (CRFPS) through the Major Crop-Based Block Farm Productivity Enhancement Project (MCBF) and Sustainable Livelihood Support (SLS) Program of the agency.

The seven ARBOs that received these farm machinery and fertilizer are: Dumangas Agrarian Reform Cooperative from Dumangas town, Damires Farmers Marketing Cooperative from New Lucena, Tuburan Abaca Handicraft Association (TAHA) from Janiuay, CAGFAS Agrarian Reform Cooperative from Anilao, Zarraga Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association from Zarraga, JAGO CARP Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative from Lemery and TIMIPAL Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative from Balasan.

The aid program aims to make ARBs more prosperous and sustainable which is aligned with the nine primary goals set forth by Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella, III in support of the legacy programs initiated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos.

Linda S. Predonio, a bookkeeper of TAHA, said the grant is a tremendous help to them - alleviating the need to borrow money, especially considering the current high prices of fertilizers.

“As recipients of this support, our association can now effectively enhance our farming activities, particularly in our rice fields, which serve as our primary source of income and livelihood. The fertilizer grant not only eases our financial burdens but also contributes to the overall sustainability and success of our agricultural pursuits,” said Predonio.

An agrarian reform beneficiary (ARB) receives bags of urea fertilizer and other support services from DAR-Iloilo funded under the agency’s Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support (CRFPS) through the Major Crop-Based Block Farm Productivity Enhancement Project (MCBF) and Sustainable Livelihood Support (SLS) Program. (Photo courtesy of DAR Iloilo)

She also expressed her gratitude for the ease that the abaca stripping machine brings to their daily operations. The machine automates the laborious process of separating fibers from the abaca plant, reducing the physical strain on the workers. This not only improves working conditions but also ensures a consistent and higher-quality output.

Damires Farmers Marketing Cooperative Chairman Mr. Winifredo S. Salazar emphasized the importance of the fertilizer grant role in enhancing the cooperative's capacity to thrive. Rather than viewing it merely as a resource for individual farmers, he sees it as a strategic investment in the cooperative's collective success. The cooperative can leverage the grant to bolster its operations, ensuring sustainable and profitable agricultural practices among its members.

Lily C. Baclagon, chairman of TIMIPAL Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative, expressed her appreciation to DAR for the invaluable farm machinery provided to the TIMIPAL Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative,

“Since DAR provided us with farm machinery, owning a four-wheel-drive tractor means that TIMIPAL Cooperative will no longer incur expenses related to the periodic rental. Through this, this grant represents a substantial cost-saving measure, allowing our cooperative to allocate funds more efficiently towards other aspects of their agricultural activities for our farmers,” said Baclagon.

Members see this support as a crucial step towards modernizing their farming operations and overcoming various challenges faced by their cooperative.  

JAGO CARP Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative Secretary Gemma Tanotan and Dumangas Agrarian Reform Cooperative Manager Rex Dedal were grateful for the continued support they received from the government, a big boost to their productivity.(AAL/LAF/PIA6-Iloilo) 

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Lilibeth French

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