By Ellalyn de Vera-Ruiz
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has recognized the significant contribution of farmers and agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) for continuously providing food on every Filipino's table, especially during this time of crisis.
Department of Agrarian Reform (MANILA BULLETIN)
"Our farmers and ARBs literally became our savior (in this pandemic). They are the new heroes," Secretary John Castriciones said.
To help and encourage the growers in this period, DAR has facilitated the distribution of farm productivity assistance to farmer-beneficiaries in Nueva Vizcaya last June 5.
Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Dindi Tan said the farm inputs will benefit 34 ARBs and leaseholders with a combined area of 5.5 hectares out of 30.23 hectares distributed by the DAR.
Tan said that farm inputs were also distributed to the ARBs, which include seedlings, fertilizers, pesticides, and farm tools to help them produce fast-growing crops, cash crops and vegetables.
This will allow the beneficiaries to increase food supply in the area and generate additional incomes for the ARBs, she added.
"The 34 ARBs are members from the 12 agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) from the four municipalities of Bagabag, Bayombong, Quezon and Solano in Nueva Vizcaya," she said.
Tan encouraged the ARBs to organize themselves into cooperatives or join ARB organizations (ARBOs) and strengthen their capacities as an organization.
This way, she said, they may be able to engage more in the operation and management of cluster or block farming to achieve economies of scale, consolidate and market their products in bulk, be provided with machineries and equipment as common facility, as well as transportation or logistics to improve access to institutional market.