The Department of Agriculture (DA) seeks to increase farm production by providing farm inputs and machineries.

Recently, DA turned over two units of tiller/cultivator to farmers in Siquijor, supported by the high-value crops development program.

The Gulayan sa Barangay in Lomangcapan, Enrique Villanueva and the Canlasog Samahang Mag-uuma (CASAMA) farmers association each received one unit of the tiller/cultivator.

Shen Dee Banglos, Lomangcapan councilor and Narcisa Quintero, president of CASAMA, both thanked DA for the intervention.

"Dako kaayo namong pasalamat kay mapagaan among trabaho ug madugangan ang among area nga gitamnan (We are very grateful because this will help lighten our load and increase our farm inputs)," said Quintero.

Quintero shared they have earned P10,000 in their latest harvest early this month.

Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer Gregolito Bunado said he is looking forward to an increase in farm production in the coming months.

"The Department of Agriculture hopes that this farm equipment be fully utilized to boost agricultural production," said Bunado. 

"Problems in farm labors, specially on land cultivation, can at least be minimized through farm mechanization with an aim to increase farm productivity by increasing land utilization, developing those area that are not cultivated yet," he added.

Provincial Agriculturist Emigdio Coretico echoed Bunado's statement, saying that the province is hoping to become self-sufficient when it comes to vegetable production.

"There is a consistent supply of vegetables in the province, but it can't meet the demand of the population. We are hoping that through these farm machineries, we can significantly increase the current production and sell it at an amiable price," he said.

A four-wheel drive tractor was also turned over to a farmer association in Caitican, Siquijor. (PR/Mary Jane Banglos, DA-PATCO Siquijor)