The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has distributed farm inputs, which includes vegetable seedlings to six agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) in the municipalities of Rosario and San Juan in Batangas.
Secretary John Castriciones led the distribution of agricultural inputs consisting of various vegetable seedlings, fertilizers, pesticides, and farm tools through the "PaSSOver: ARBold Move for Deliverance of our ARBs from the COVID-19 Pandemic" project of the DAR.
The project recognizes the role of farmers as the modern heroes of today’s war against the pandemic, by continually providing food on every household’s table and contributing to food security and sufficiency in the country.
"We are here to bring hope, in these times of famine, hardships and fears, this is the time when we must strengthen our faith and confidence in farming. Do not abandon farming, for farming is the true wealth of our country. Let us continue doing our best to help prevent shortages and keep our local food production going," Castriciones told the ARBs.
Undersecretary for Support Services Emily Padilla encouraged the ARBs to boost food self-sufficiency amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"This is the first time that the DAR is providing relief packs and agricultural inputs to the ARBs to assist the farmers to continue tilling their lands, even during this time of the pandemic, since most of the agricultural activities was put into a halt due to the effects of the community quarantine," Padilla said.
Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II (PARPO) Merle Manalo, who facilitated the distribution of agricultural inputs, said the 44 individual beneficiaries belong to barangays Pinagsibaan, Putingkahoy, San Isidro, and Tulos in Rosario town and in Brgy. Libato in San Juan town.
She added that the distribution of agricultural inputs is aimed at helping the farmers produce fast-growing crops, cash crops and vegetables, in order to increase food supply in the area and generate additional incomes for the ARBs.
Manalo said the distribution of agricultural inputs will also be extended to a total of 498 ARBs belonging to the 21 ARBOs in the 12 municipalities of Batangas in the coming weeks.