In a bid to boost the agricultural production and yield in Paracelis, Mountain Province, the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera (DA-CAR) through its Regional Corn and Rice Banner Programs and in collaboration with the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) turned over four (4) units of agri-machineries and one (1) unit of drying pavement to local farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) on September 27, 2023, in Barangay Bugnay-Pacak, Paracelis.
OIC-Regional Executive Director Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan, represented by Agricultural Programs Coordination Officer for Mountain Province Engr. Beverly Pekas, together with RAED Chief Engr. Filemon Salvador and Regional Corn Program Coordinator Mr. Gerardo Banawa led the turnover of projects to the provincial local government of Mountain Province, the municipal LGU of Paracelis, and to the FCAs.
With a total of Php8,586,000, the turned-over projects included a 90HP four-wheel drive tractor; a 60HP four-wheel drive tractor; a 40HP four-wheel drive tractor; one unit recirculating dryer; and a multi-crop drying pavement with shed. The projects were received by the Bacarri Farmers Agriculture Cooperative; the Stewart Farmers Association; San Rafael Dynamic Movers; the Lattang Gardeners Farmers Association, and the Bugnay-Pacak Farmers Association.
Said agri-machineries are intended for corn production except for the 40HP tractor which is designed for rice. The corn tractors can navigate up to 10-15% slope and have complete implements namely a trailing harrow, disc plow, trailer, and rotavator.
Mr. Bong Bong Lawodna, President of the Stewart Farmers Association, extends his gratitude to all who helped realize the project giving them joy for an ‘answered payer’.
“Dakkel unay nga yamanmi. First time mi nga makatanggap ti kastoy ket naragsak kami la unay. Pagyamanak dagiti amin nga tinmulong, kangrunaanni Apo Dios ta mamatiak nga isuna ti nagtrabaho kadagiti ahensya nga nakaipagnaanna dagitoy. Dakkel nga makatulong daytoy tractor kadakami tapnu ti kasta saan kami nga malungsutanti produkto mi ken naparpartak ti panangisaganami manen nga dagus ti pagmulaan ti mais nu malpas ti apit,” Mr. Lawodna shared.
[Thank you very much. It’s our first time to receive an intervention like this [tractor] and we are joyful. I thank everyone who helped us, particularly the Almighty because I believe that he was the one who worked through the implementing agencies. The tractor is very helpful to prevent production losses and to hasten the land preparation ready for planting again after harvest.]
Prior to the distribution, Engr. Salvador reiterated the salient features of the Memorandum of Agreement with the FCA beneficiaries particularly on the operation and maintenance of the projects awarded. Accordingly, the FCAs are responsible in observing the utmost care and maintenance of the agri-machineries which include the provision of a permanent shed; formulating of internal guidelines relative to the operation and maintenance; complying with the regulatory requirements of the government such as the registration of the farm machinery to the municipal LGU in respect to Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech) Law; and maintain the registration of its organization. Additionally, the FCAs are to identify operators for the machinery who will be trained afterward by the suppliers.
The FCAs are encouraged to be responsible for operating and maintaining not only the farm-machineries but all the interventions being provided to them in order to maximize their potential for the benefit of the farmer-members. “Your commitment towards the programs and projects is very important so be responsible and do your part,” Paracelis Municipal Agriculturist Engr. Abraham Gaddawan emphasized.
Meanwhile, an additional 15 units of water pumps with accessories amounting to a total of Php1,125,000 were also turned over to farmers in Paracelis.
Paracelis municipality is currently ranked 4th in total area for corn production and yield. It generally follows two cropping for corn every year with every cropping having a duration of about four months.**JBAgrifino
