Juan Novo Ecijano member Dr. Reynato Arimbuyutan and farmer-leader Reynaldo Lapat share insights on how to help farmers. Photo by Armand M. Galang
CABANATUAN CITY – A non-government organization that advocates collective farming to address perennial losses of agricultural workers spearheaded the distribution of ducks to a farmers’ cooperative in Barangay Bangad here on Monday.
Commissioner Danilo Yang of the Presidential Anti-Crime Commission and founder of Juan Novo Ecijano Tapang at Malasakit, Inc. led the distribution of 100 heads of egg-laying ducks to members of the Nueva Ecija Rice and Corn, Vegetable, Livestock Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
Yang said it was the latest in a series of duck distribution through the efforts of their member Dr. Reynato Arimbuyutan of the College for Research and Technology (CRT).
“Marami na silang naipamahagi bilang tulong sa ating mga magsasaka para pandagdag ng kita,” Yang said, noting that rice farmers have incurred losses due to low prices of grains for several seasons now.
Reynaldo Lapat, chair of the Nueva Ecija Corn and Vegetable Growers Agriculture Cooperative, said they will propagate the ducks so that more members of their rank can benefit from the program. “Nangingitlog na po ito kaya hindi magtatagal at marami pa kaming mabibigyan,” he said.
“Maliit lang po ito ngunit malaking bagay kapag naalagaan ng maybahay. Maasahan sa biglaang pangangailangan,”Lapat added.
Arimbuyutan also offered scholarships for the children of the coops’ members.
Yang said the distribution of livestock, that include goats, is only one of the interventions that Juan Novo Ecijano undertakes in efforts to uplift the lives of farmers in Nueva Ecija and adjoining provinces.
Primarily, he said, their NGO promotes “collective farming” to empower agricultural workers: “Para magkaroon ng isang konkretong paraan upang ang mga magsasaka ay maka-recover at samahan para sa ikagaganda ng kanilang buhay.“
“Ang habol natin ay mayroong ginagawa ang mga tao habang naghihintay ng ani,” he added.
Juan Novo Ecijano also guards farmers from corruption of people both in government and the farmers’ groups themselves.
