ILOILO City – To improve rice production in Guimaras, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) turned over P1,758,000 worth of farming machines to two Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) in Guimaras yesterday.
The ARBOs were Tamborong Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries and Farmers’ Association based in Barangay Tamborong, San Lorenzo town and Getulio-San Miguel-Navalas-Farmers’ Association based in Barangay Navalas, Buenavista.
The provision of the farm machines was in line with DAR’s Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project to address the adverse effects of climate change on rice production.
The Guimaras Provincial Agrarian Reform Office assisted DAR in the turnover held in Barangay Navalas, Buenavista and Barangay Tamborong, San Lorenzo.
Tamborong Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries and Farmers’ Association received a rice mill with complete accessories, a mini hand tractor with complete accessories, and a thresher also with accessories.
On the other hand, Getulio-San Miguel-Navalas-Farmers’ Association received a mini hand tractor with complete accessories, a thresher with accessories, and a mobile rice mill with complete accessories.
According to Susan Garrido, Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Officer (CARPO) – Beneficiaries Development Division – DAR-Guimaras, the Agriculture department is mandated by Republic Act 9729 (Climate Change Act) to “undertake climate resilient projects in Agrarian Reform Communities that involve capacity building for adaptation and mitigation practices and provision of farm equipment and machineries to address climate change issues.”
“Farmers are among the first to suffer the adverse effects of climate change that is why we are giving them attention,” said Garrido.
For her part, Mercy Lagaña, CARPO-Regional Support Services Division, DAR Region 6, urged the Tamborong Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries and Farmers’ Association and Getulio-San Miguel-Navalas-Farmers’ Association to take good care of their farm machines.
Gaudencio Largado Jr., president of Getulio-San Miguel-Navalas-Farmers Association, thanked DAR for the help. He said the 66 members of their association would be greatly benefited./PN
Our heartfelt thank you from DAR Guimaras