TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), in partnership with Governor Harris Ongchuan, turned over P17.4 million worth of rice farm machinery to RCEF-accredited farmers’ cooperatives and associations in Northern Samar.
The ceremonial turnover benefited four farmer organizations from the province’s major rice-producing municipalities of Las Navas, Palapag, and Laoang. Each group received one four-wheel tractor and one rice combine harvester.
Recipients included the Laoang Mainland Farmers Organization, Brgy. Talolora Farmers Association, Robasan Farmers Irrigators Association, Inc., and Bobolosan Multi-Sector Kilusang Pagbabago Organization.
The initiative is part of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program, which aims to modernize rice farming, improve efficiency, and reduce postharvest losses.
Governor Ongchuan said the equipment will help boost production and farmers’ incomes, while the provincial government remains committed to supporting local agriculture.
A demonstration and orientation on the use of the machines followed the turnover ceremony, which was attended by DA-PhilMech officials, provincial agriculture officers, and local leaders.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
