DAR distributes P4.6M worth of farm machines, equipment to Antique farmers

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Provincial Local Government Unit distributed Php4.6 million worth of farm machinery and equipment (FME) under the Sustainable and Resilient Agrarian Reform Community (SuRe ARC) Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Program (CRFPSP) to 17 agrarian reform beneficiary organizations in Antique on May 24.

The SuRe ARC program provides continuous support services to farmers, aiming to enhance food production and security. The distributed FME includes multifunction tillers, cultivators, and hand tractors with engines and accessories. 17 ARBOs, encompassing 2,604 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs), benefitted from the said project.

Dr. Gina B. Jordan, OIC Provincial Agriculturist of Antique, delivered the welcome message, expressing gratitude for the successful partnership with DAR. “Farmers are the backbone of our society, without them, we would have no food on our tables. So kabay pa nga sa adlaw-adlaw nga tanan, mangin mabakod kag resilient gid kita sa pag atubang kang mga paghangkat sa pagpanguma”.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Florentino D. Siladan highlighted the significance of farmers in his message, stressing their indispensable role in food production. “Kung kita naka kaon kaina kang aga, dapat pasalamatan naton ang mga mangunguma, tungod kung wara ti mangunguma, wara kita ti karan-on”, Siladan said. He also thanked the PLGU for their collaboration, which enabled the timely procurement of the FMEs despite the short notice in 2021.

Mary June B. Andres, Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer, presented the project brief, explaining the project's goal to improve food security through the provision of machinery that supports farmers' productivity. “Ang tinutuyo kang dya nga proyekto amo ang pagpa sanyog kang food security paagi sa dyang mga makinarya agud mag suporta sa produksyon kang mga mangunguma para matugro ang kinahanglanon kang andang pamilya kag mapa eskwela ang andang mga kabataan, mas maimprobar pa gid ang andang pagpanguma kag mataw an opportunidad nga mangin produktibo man ang lupa nga gin award kananda”, she said.

Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao expressed appreciation for the farmers,