As part of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program, a total of 30 farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) received 121 various agricultural units during the provincial turnover ceremony held on April 17, 2023 at the Laguna Provincial Capitol Grounds, Sta. Cruz, Laguna.
The machinery grants include 37 units of hand tractors, 50 units of floating tiller, nine units of walk-behind transplanter, two units of riding type transplanter, seven units of rice reaper, seven units of rice combine harvester, three units of mobile rice mill, one unit of single-pass rice mill, one unit of recirculating dryer (6 tonner), two units of recirculating dryer (12 tonner), and two units of multi-stage rice mill (1.5 tph).
RCEF Mechanization Program aims to help the farmers to be more competitive when it comes to farming, the machinery grants also aim to benefit the farmers from different cities and adjacent towns of Laguna.
Meanwhile, as part of the turnover ceremony, FCA representatives extended their gratitude to the Department of Agriculture and PHilMech for providing high quality machinery for the rice farmers.
“Dahil sa PHilMech nagkaroon kaming mga magsasaka ng magandang bukas upang mas lalong mapadali at mapagaan ang aming preparasyon sa palayan,” said Elmer Derosas of the Brgy. Bulihan Lilian Farmers Association, INC.
“Ako po ay taos pusong nagpapasalamat sa RCEF Mechanization Program, dahil napakalaking tulong po at biyaya sa aming pagsasaka ang mga makinaryang ipinagkaloob sa aming mga farmers na mapagaan at mapabilis ang pagtatrabaho sa bukid at nababawasan ang labor cost at napapataas ang ani at kita naming mga magsasaka,” said Edgar Agnes, president of Calumpang Irrigator’s Farmers Association (CIFA).
PHilMech OIC Assistant Director, Dr. Ofero A. Capariño delivered his message during the ceremony. Some local government officials also attended the ceremony to support the RCEF program for the FCA members of the city. (Jenel Gallardo)
(Photos: Kim Yvete Velasco and Joerelyn Joy Ruedas)
