LUNA, Apayao(PIA) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform-Cordillera Administrative Region turned over farm equipment to five Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) in the province to improveagricultural productivity.
DAR-CAR Regional Director Atty. Eugene Follante and Provincial Administrator Atty. Ma. Elena Teresa Ravelo representing Governor Eleanor Bulut-Begtang led the awarding of farm machineries to ARBOs in the different municipalities on Thursday (May 19) at the ECBJR Multipurpose Hall and Evacuation Center in Luna.
The Melalea Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association in Alem, Pudtol received three units hand tractor and two units corn planter/seeder. The Cacallaggan ARB Farmers Association in Pudtol and Tumog ARB Association in Luna also received a unit each of hand tractor and a plant seeder while the Consuelo ARB Association of Sta. Marcela got a hand tractor and a water pump.
The farm equipment will be operated by the farmers’ organizations as business assets where user fees will be collected and utilized for its operation and maintenance.
Follante said the intervention is a component of DAR's Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project (CRFPSP) to improve farm productivity and the earning capabilities of ARBs in a sustainable manner through their organizations.
"Through CRFPSP, the DAR is seeing to it that ARBs are provided with assistance to sustain their agricultural productivity being the primary means of livelihood in agrarian communities as an adaptation towards resiliency and effects of climate change," he added.
Follante challenged the ARBO recipients to make their lands productive and maximize the use of the machineries awarded to them.
Ravelo expressed appreciation to the support of the DAR-CAR saying this will surely help improve the lives and livelihood of the farmers in the province of Apayao.
"This will surely improve our farmers' yield, develop our farmers' organizations and complement PGA's recovery and resiliency efforts, not only from climate change but more importantly from the effects of pandemic to the agriculture sector," said Ravelo.
Also present during the activity were DAR Assistant Regional Director Atty. Estrelita Briones, Apayao Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Artemio Dumaoang, Pudtol Municipal Mayor and League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Apayao Chapter President Hector Reuel Pascua and representatives from the recipient local government units of Luna, Sta. Marcela and Flora. (JDP/RMC- PIA CAR with Apayao PLGU)
