MASBATE CITY, Masbate (PIA) -- Rice farmers in Masbate were provided with P61 million worth of agricultural machinery under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program of the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech).

A total of 33 various types of farm machinery, which include 17 four-wheeled tractors, seven rice combine harvesters, six precision rice seeders, and three transplanters were turned over to farmers' cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in 18 rice-producing municipalities 

RCEF regional coordinator Joseph Corporal said that the distribution of farm equipment would significantly improve domestic rice production.

The use of appropriate machinery and mechanization could reduce losses and increase farmers' income, he said.

Anjelo Tawag, RCEF coordinator for Masbate, said the officials and members of FCAs who will be operating the machines have already received training in the maintenance and handling of the farm machinery. 

Boboy Matza Lim, coordinator of Sustainable Livelihood Program for the municipality of San Fernando expressed his gratitude for the grant of a unit of precision seeder to Buenasuerte San Fernando Marginal Farmers Association.

“They can now plant rice directly using machinery for seeding,” he said.

RCEF aims to provide support to qualified FCAs nationwide by distributing farm equipment.

According to the law, the RCEP must provide P10 billion worth of interventions to the rice industry every year until 2024.

Tawag said the farm equipment distributed in Masbate was procured under the 2022 and 2023 funds through competitive bidding. (PIA 5/Masbate)