9 Misocc towns’ farmers get P17.61m agri inputs: DA-10

NINE towns in the First District of Misamis Occidental received P17.61 million worth of farm inputs,  machinery, and livelihood projects from the Department of Agriculture Region-10 (DA-10), said in a report Wednesday.

Northern Mindanao Agriculture executive regional director Carlene Collado led the turnover of interventions to farmers on November 26, based on the department’s press statement.

“It’s the DA’s support and initiative  to the local government units in terms of agricultural development to ensure food security,” said Collado.

The assistance is also part of the  department and government’s initiatives to help the farmers recover from the adverse impacts of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

Collado handed over P17.61 million worth of agri interventions under the first congressional district office of Representative Diego C. Ty, represented by Nesty Gonzales.

The provincial government of Misamis Occidental received 1 unit four-wheel drive tractor worth P1.2 million under DA’s rice program in support of their rice farmers.

The towns of Panaon, Calamba and Lopez Jaena received one unit each of mobile rice mill with a total amount of P1.19 million, and 1 unit riding-type direct seeder worth P1.98 million for the town of Jimenez.

Under the DA’s Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD), P7.71 million of agri inputs were provided to the towns of Aloran, Panaon, Concepcion, Baliangao and Sapang Dalaga.

Such inputs include garden tools, biologics, agricultural machineries, tools, organic fertilizers, corn and vegetable seeds with an aim to increase efficiency and combat scarcity among the marginalized sectors.

With DA’s Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), a P3.5 million assistance was turned over to Paglaum Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Plaridel, which comprised of 1 unit cacao facility, 1 unit combined solar/mechanical dryer, and 15 metric tons of wet cacao beans.

The sub-project aims to achieve at least 70 percent of the total production of good quality fermented beans with the use of GMP-compliant fermentary and drying facility, increase the annual net income of the coop, increase farmer-members’ net income and generate more jobs for the enterprise.

The Aloran Integrated Cooperative received a corn mill facility worth P2 million in support of the food security program of the department which will benefit 1,310 corn farmers residing and farming in 16 barangays of said town.

Aloran town mayor said the facility will help aid the farmers especially in this pandemic.

“Pinaagi niining pasilidad ma menusan ang galastuhon namo pag-adto sa sentrong bahin sa lungsod ug madugangan na among potensyal nga makita sa mais,” said Aloran Integrated Cooperative consultant Vernan Q. Buensalida.

With this facility, it also lessens our worries in storing our produce having provided proper storage, according to Buensalida. (Angie Cabig/Recthie Tolinero/JCAnitoDA-10)