The Samahang Magpapatubig at Magsasaka ng Candawa, Inc., a farmers’ association with a rice farming area of 560 hectares and an additional 500 hectares for expansion in Rizal town, has used its earnings from a donated combined harvester from the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PhilMech) to construct a new building for the association.
Board Member Ariston Arzaga said that thanks to a stable water supply from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), the association has not only maintained but also improved its operations as a contract grower under the administration’s programs.
“Naging maganda ang patakbo ng samahan kung saan ang kinita sa binigay na combined harvester ng DA-PhilMech, ay kanilang nilaan sa construction ng kanilang building,” he stated Monday.
Despite this, Arzaga stated that the members of the Candawaga farmers’ association are hoping for more government support to build additional facilities, such as a warehouse, acquire a cono rice mill, and purchase more units of mechanical dryers and combined harvesters.
“Inaasahan din nila yung patuloy na daloy ng suporta ng pamahalaan, lalo sa additional facility tulad ng warehouse, cono rice mill, at karagdagang units ng mechanical dryer at combined harvester. Ito ay sagot sa lawak ng kanilang sinasaka at ninanais na bigas at hindi na palay yung kanilang ibebenta para mas may kita,” Arzaga added.
Federico Badua, the association’s president, relayed this information to the board member.
The association maintains optimism that they will receive their support requests promptly, thereby advancing their mission to improve food production in the region.
