DA Secretary turns-over P15.9 million worth of farm equipment, checks to Albay farmers

By Marlon A. Loterte

Friday 27th of January 2012

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan 27 (PIA) -- Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala turned- over Thursday (Jan. 26) some P15.9 million worth of farm equipment and checks for livelihood assistance to Albay farmers after the stakeholders and development partners meeting held also yesterday at Naval Forces Southern Luzon (Nvaforsol) headquarters in Barangay Rawis, this city.

The checks worth P1.23 million were given to 123 farmer beneficiaries from Albay and Legazpi City under the Agrikultura : Kaagapay Ng Bayan (AKBay) while some P14.7 million worth of various farm equipment were also given to Albay and Legazpi farmers .

The equipment given to farmers were composed of hand tractors, power tillers, flatbed dryers, palay shredders, multi-purpose drying pavement, seed cleaners, shredders, one hauler truck, composting, and shallow tube wells.

Alcala disclosed during a press conference with local media that the rice self sufficiency program of the Aquino administration remains on track and will be attained by next year and that rice production has been increasing during his term as secretary.

He also said that irrigation facilities will be constructed while others will be rehabilitated to increase the irrigated areas planted to palay.

In fact he said that he was optimistic that we will be able to export rice after 2013.

The Agriculture secretary also disclosed that they have also spread the planting of vegetables to other areas to stabilize the price of vegetables in the country.

He cited that in Nueva Viscaya, some 400 hectares are being planted to vegetables. (MAL/EDL-PIA V)