Gov’t delivers nearly P1-B in agri assistance to Mindanao farmers

MANILA (PNA) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) distributed Tuesday close to one billion pesos worth of agricultural projects - including infrastructures, various farm machinery and equipment - to farmers and fisherfolk of Region XII during the second leg of the Makinaryang Pansakahan, Dagdag Kita at Yaman” held at the Tupi Seed Center, in Bololmala, Tupi, South Cotabato.A total of Phl 995.4 million in postharvest machineries and other farm equipment were awarded to organized farm groups and irrigators’ associations, as well as to local government units (LGUs) as part of the government’s drive to uplift the lives of agricultural laborers thru mechanization and as part of government’s larger objective to ultimately attain peace in Mindanao.Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and Senate Committee on Food and Agriculture Chair Cynthia Villar led the distribution of the interventions.The event featured a virtual turnover of approximately Phl 221.3 million projects presented via geotagging technology consisting of two units of rice processing center established in Libungan and Pigcawayan, Cotabato Province, one unit of corn-on-cobs village-type dryer, and farm-to-market road projects.Alcala and Villar also led the awarding of P734 M worth of agri-interventions including tillers, hand tractors, harvesters, and project funds, among others.Last year, on October 22, DA-Regional Field Office in Region XII has awarded a total of Phl 250 million worth of farm machineries and equipment during the first part of the Makinaryang Pansakahan event.In his message Tuesday, Alcala told the more than 2,400 farmers and fisherfolk who attended the event that he was instructed by President Benigno S. Aquino III to personally deliver the said assistance as recognition to their contributions as constant and sturdy partners of the DA in attaining food sufficiency and sustainability. You should know that your region (Mindanao) is one of the very first regions to avail of development projects under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP),” he said to the participants. This just shows how serious you are in helping us attain our target to achieve higher farm growth and improved livelihood for every Filipino,” Alcala said as he urged everyone to continue to participate in various rural development projects of the government.Meanwhile, Isulan Mayor Dado Palasique, expressed his gratitude to the DA and the national government for the agricultural projects that are beginning to open up development in the said municipality of Sultan Kudarat province. With the assistance from DA and PRDP, Isulan’s former roadless paths have been cemented, opening more economic opportunities and possibilities for the farmers and residents of the town,” he said. After 57 years, Isulan now have cemented roads thanks to PRDP, DA and the World Bank,” the mayor said. (PNA)CTB/CMR