In order to raise the productivity, profitability, and global competitiveness of the farmers in CamSur, the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PhilMech), under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) mechanization program, in partnership with Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), turned over farm machineries to farmer cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in CamSur on February 23, 2023 held at the Capitol Convention Center.
“Importantehon pong maray ining tinao ninda ta dakulang tabang po ini samuya,” said Mary Ann Vidal, president of the Poro Farmers and Fisherfolks Association from Poro, Canaman, one of the recipients of the farm machineries. “As president, aram ko po an mga hardship na inaagihan kan mga farmers sa ngunyan na panahon kaya dakulang tabang po ini sa samuyang association lalo na sa mga farmers na sadit an kapital,” furthered Vidal speaking of the challenges farmers face today.
According to Vidal, farmers struggle from the lack of manpower especially during harvest as the people they used to hire have found other jobs or commitment. “Big help po talaga ining naresibe mi ta magiging low cost na po ang samong mga gastos kaya dakula po an samuyang magiging kita,” Vidal said upon receiving one unit of rice combine harvester.
With their newest harvester, members of Vidal’s association will no longer have to pay extra for manpower thereby lowering their cost of expenses.
Led by Governor Luigi Villafuerte and Regional Director Rodel Tornilla of the DA-RFO V, over 201.2 million worth of farm machineries and equipment was turned over to fifty-five (55) FCAs from the municipalities of Lupi, Ragay, Sipocot, Milaor, Minalabac, Pamplona, Pasacao, San Fernando, Calabanga, Canaman, Magarao, Ocampo, Pili, Caramoan, Garchitorena, Goa, Lagonoy, San Jose, Siruma, Baao, Balatan, Buhi, Bato, Bula, Nabua, and the cities of Iriga and Naga.
The farm machineries awarded include 42 units of hand tractor, 7 units of floating tiller, 1 unit of precision seeder, 19 units of walk-behind transplanter, 2 units of riding-type transplanter, 40 units of rice reaper, 19 units of combine harvester, and 8 units of mobile rice mill.
“Maogma po akong maray and very overwhelmed lalo na sa part ko bilang babae asin baguhang presidente, dai ko po hinuhuna na arog kani kagayon an programa ninda para sa mga paraoma,” shared Vidal expressing gratitude to PhilMech, Department of Agriculture, and the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur for the programs they continue to provide for the farmers.
