Farm cooperatives and associations seeking to improve productivity in Palawan have received a boost from the agriculture department following its turn over of agricultural machinery and equipment on Friday.
Sixty-two cooperatives and associations received them personally from Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., along with DA Regional Technical Director Vener Dilig and Dir. Joel Dator of the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech).
“Layunin nito na mapaunlad pa ang magsasaka at mangingisda kasama ang mga seaweed farmers,” stated Laurel during the turn over at the Provincial Capitol Building in Puerto Princesa City.
“Naniniwala ako na ang Palawan ay self-sufficient na maaaring mag-export ng bigas sa Maynila [mula] sa southern Palawan. Asahan niyo na patuloy ang pagsusuri sa national office sa gagawin na irrigation system para mas marami kayong ma-produce na bigas, prutas, mais at pagkatapos nun magdadagdag tayo ng makinarya,” he added.
The farm machinery, sourced from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program of the DA, included essential items such as farm tractors, rice combine harvesters, PTO-driven disc plows, levee makers, transplanters, recirculating dryers, and single-pass rice mills.
Tiu said these tools aim to boost the productivity and efficiency of rice farming in Palawan, helping the province’s farmers remain competitive in a challenging market.
Meanwhile, Governor Dennis Socrates expressed gratitude to Tiu and the national government for thinking about the welfare of Palawan farmers.
“Napakaraming biyaya ang pinamigay sa mga seaweed farmers sa Palawan at ngayon naman ay para sa mga magsasaka,” shared, meanwhile, by Governor Dennis Socrates.
Representatives from local government units and members of Farmers Cooperative Associations from Dumaran, El Nido, Roxas, San Vicente, Taytay, Bataraza, Brooke’s Point, Narra, Quezon, Rizal, Aborlan, and Puerto Princesa City were present to accept the equipment.
