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DA doles out P22.8-M farm machineries to Albay farmers

By Rhaydz B. Barcia


The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) handed over P22.8 million worth of farm machineries to farmer groups in the second district of Albay.


The P22.8-million worth of brand-new farm machineries from the DA and PhilMech were turned over to farmer associations and cooperatives as a priority project of Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda to improve farmers’ rice productivity after the province was hit by three strong typhoons last year.


Salceda said that the P22.8-million worth of farm machineries intended for RCEF-mechanization program will boost the rice production of the province specifically that the country is in the middle of the pandemic.


The lawmaker also said that the farm equipment will also help rice farmers cope better with the climate change challenges; coronavirus pandemic and liberalized rice importation policy of the government.


The farm machineries given to farmer cooperatives in Legazpi were the following: 10 units of walk behind transplanter; two units of four-wheel tractor; one unit rice combine harvester; eight units of hand tractors; nine units of thresher with pneumatic tires; and one unit of rice thresher.


In Daraga town, DA handed over a four-wheel tractor, six hand tractors, five reapers, one combine harvester, and four mini-threshers.


In Camalig town, eight hand tractors were given to farmer groups, six walk-behind transplanters , three mini-threshers, two reapers, two rice reaper, and one mobile rice mill.


In Manito town, distributed were: one mobile rice mill; one four-wheel tractor; five walk-behind transplanters; and 12 reapers.


The farm machineries given to the farmer groups were through the initiative of Salceda.


“These brand-new farm machineries and mechanization will greatly help in achieving more harvest and expedite farm works of our farmers,” Salceda said.


Similarly, he is also implementing “Edible Landscaping sa Barangay Project” in partnership with El Miro De Shei Integrated Farm, Tesda Albay, ATI Bicol, and the Department of Agriculture Bicol regional office.


The project was first held at Barangay Salugan in Camalig town as a pilot area. The Camalig town played a major role in the implementation of the Edible Landscaping sa Barangay Project.


The edible landscaping project will be replicated in Daraga, Manito, Rapu-Rapu and Legazpi City.


This program is also in line with the so-called FAITH Project (Food Always in the Home) of Salceda, one of the development programs of the lawmaker focusing on agricultural sustainability and food security through organic farming technology.


The project aims to encourage the community especially the youth to actively participate in the initiative by introducing them to innovative farming approach such as edible landscaping, the “seeds to plate”, and other proven practices in organic farming.


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