Rice and corn farmers in Bohol receive farm machinery from DAR

SAN MIGUEL, Bohol — Farm machines worth P1.5 million were turned over by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to rice and corn farmers of two Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) here to improve their farm productivity and profitability.

The Basacan Irrigators Association Inc. of Bayongan received a 40HP 4WD tractor, disc plow and rotary tiller while the Corazon San Miguel Farmers Association Inc. received a hand tractor with trailer and mechanical rice thresher. Both are provided under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project being implemented by the DAR.

DAR Regional Director Leo Villareal said the farm machines are part of the DAR's effort to boost the agrarian reform beneficiaries’ (ARBs) grain production and help modernize rice and corn farming in Bohol Province.

“These farm implements will service more than 300 farmers here. And because the machines are mechanized, farming would be easier and faster for them. It will also greatly improve their yield and increase their income,” Villareal said.

To increase ARB membership, DAR Assistant Secretary Virgilio Mendez who led the turnover of farm machines encouraged the members of the two cooperatives to be diligent in convincing farmers to join cooperatives.

“The DAR can only provide additional support services to an organization if there is a growing ARB membership that will justify the need to deliver more farm machineries and equipment,” Mendez said.

"We also urge the beneficiaries to establish effective operations of the farm tractor, thresher, and other equipment to help increase the income of their members and their association," Mendez added.

Before the turnover, training was conducted for the farmer members to familiarize them with the proper use and maintenance of the farm machines.