TARLAC CITY (PIA) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has awarded ₱134,836,000 worth of farming equipment, machinery, and interventions to about 178 farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in Central Luzon to help boost their livelihoods and farm operations amid agricultural challenges such as climate change, rising fuel prices, and increasing costs of agricultural inputs.
The distribution was held as part of the Farmers and Fisherfolks’ Month celebration, which recognizes the vital role of farmers and fisherfolk in ensuring food security and promoting agricultural sustainability in the country.
DA OIC-Regional Technical Director for Research, Regulations, and ILS Elma Mananes emphasized that the machinery and equipment are intended to help farmers ease their workload and improve efficiency in farm operations.
“Malaki po ang maitutulong ng mga makinaryang ito upang mabawasan ang gastusin ng mga magsasaka. Kasabay nito, mas mapapadali ang paghahanda ng kanilang lupain para sa pagtatanim, mababawasan ang production cost, at maiiwasan ang mga post-harvest losses na ating nararanasan (These machines will greatly help reduce the expenses of our farmers. At the same time, they will make land preparation easier, lower production costs, and help reduce the post-harvest losses we are currently experiencing),” she explained.
Among the machineries and equipment received by the FCAs were shallow tube wells, four-wheel drive tractors, biomass furnaces, multi-cultivators, corn seeders with fertilizer applicators, grain collector-baggers, grain moisture meters, hauling trucks, and animal transport vehicles.
Meanwhile, DA Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther Bayate emphasized that the initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “Para sa Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas” vision, which aims to build a modern, resilient, and productive agricultural sector through the use of farm mechanization and strengthened logistics support.
“Nais nating mapataas ang inyong kita, matiyak ang sapat na suplay ng pagkain sa bansa, at maibalik ang interes ng kabataan sa agrikultura (We aim to increase your income, ensure sufficient food supply in the country, and revive the interest of the youth in agriculture),” she said.
Mananes also noted that the agency continues to extend additional financial and agricultural assistance to qualified farmers in the region, including fertilizer and livestock distribution, as well as the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program, which provides support amid rising fuel prices.
Camiling, Tarlac farmer Benjamin Pagarigan expressed his gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the DA for their support towards the sector.
“Maraming salamat sa Department of Agriculture sa mga tulong na ibinigay nila sa amin. Malaking bagay ito sa aming kooperatiba. Maraming salamat din sa ating mahal na Pangulong BBM dahil sa kanyang mga programa na kahit papaano ay nakakatulong sa amin na mga magsasaka (Thank you very much to the Department of Agriculture for the assistance they have given us. This is a big help to our cooperative. We also thank President BBM for his programs that somehow continue to support us farmers),” he stated.
For Pagarigan, the machinery will help reduce rental costs for farm equipment among members of their association.
With the vital role of the agriculture sector in ensuring food security, DA continues to strengthen its support programs and assistance for farmers and fisherfolk across the region. (CLJD/CJGS, PIA Region 3-Tarlac GIP)
