BANGUED, Abra (PIA) -- The Manarabar Pias Farmers Association in the municipality of Tayum received a hauling truck from the Department of Agriculture (DA) under the Rice Banner Program. 
 
The truck worth P1.99 million will be used for hauling palay, rice and other agricultural products not only among association members but among farmers from other areas of the municipality.
 
This was one hauling trucks  turned  over  by  DA Secretary William Dar  to farmers and cooperative recipients last  October 29  at the Baguio Animal Breeding and Research Center in Baguio City.
 
Dr. Rosemarie Tesoro, Head of the Agriculture Program Coordinating Office, said that the Manarabar Pias association is one of the three identified recipients in Abra. The others are Abra Vegetable Growers Development Cooperative and the Abra Diocesan Teachers and Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative.

The association was qualified as recipient of the intervention since it is one of the well-organized and steadfast farmers association exemplifying unity and cooperation among its members.

“Before, we used to cover our fertilizers when transporting them especially during rainy season, but now we can safely and easily transport them using this truck from DA”,  Fedelito Tubaña, the association president,  said as  he expressed his thanks to the DA for the provision of farm machineries to their group.
  
Tayum Municipal Agriculturist Romero Artienda Ramos said that this machinery is very useful   for the association members   as it will lessen their expenses in the transportation of goods. With this truck and the   improvement of farm-to-market roads, Artienda is positive that the yield loss of Tayum farmers will further be lessened in the coming years.

 The mandate of our agency is to help the farmers so that their products can be sold in the market which will help them to generate more income, Tesoro said.

More interventions like these are needed since more than 80% of farmers in the province are rice producers, she added.(JDP/CAGT-PIA CAR, Abra)