SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Fourteen qualified farmers' associations and cooperatives in Ilocos Sur received 19 farm machineries and equipment and 920 agricultural supplies from the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office-1 on Thursday, August 11.
A total of 939 units were distributed including 3 units of four-wheel drive tractors, 2 units of Combine Harvesters, 2 units of Hand Tractors, 2 units of Multi-Purpose Cultivators, 5 units of Pump and Engine sets, 5 electric pumps, 15 ladders, 5 pole pruner/shears, and 900 Plastic Crates amounting to P9,038,742.80.
These were funded under the two banner programs of the Field Operations Division-Rice and High Value Crops Development Programs (HVCDP).
Some of the farm machineries and equipment will be distributed to the farmer-beneficiaries once they have complied with the documentary requirements.
The ceremonial distribution was held at the DA–Ilocos Sur Research Center (ISReC) in Barangay Labnig, San Juan, Ilocos Sur.
It was attended by First District Congressman Ronald Singson, Cabugao Vice Mayor Ediboy Cobangbang and San Juan Sangguniang Bayan Member Cresencio ‘Ching’ Valle.
DA-RFO I was represented by Jomar Dayap,Ilocos Sur Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer.
Also in attendance were the Municipal Agriculturists and staff of the different municipalities in Ilocos Sur, Barangay Officials of Barangay Labnig, staff of Ilocos Sur Community College, staff of Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, and officers and members of the recipient farmers' association and cooperatives.
The provision of these agricultural farm machineries would enable more farmers to mechanize their farms, thus reducing time, effort and financial resources for the maximization of profits and income.