Bukidnon: The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has distributed farm machinery and equipment (FMEs) worth PHP8.2 million to 15 agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) in Bukidnon. This initiative aims to enhance agricultural productivity and improve the livelihoods of local farmers, aligning with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s ongoing support for farmers under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
According to Philippines News Agency, DAR stated in a news release that this effort is designed to empower agrarian reform beneficiary organizations by providing them with modern machinery to overcome challenges and thrive in climate-vulnerable environments. Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) Jammal Pangandaman emphasized the significance of this equipment, stating that it represents the government's trust and commitment to the development of agrarian reform beneficiaries and rural communities.
The distributed equipment includes stationary rice mills for the Araneta Farmers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association in Valencia City and the Dangcagan Farmers Irrigators Association in Dangcagan. Additionally, three-wheeled cargo-type vehicles were given to various cooperatives, including the First Agrarian Reform Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Sumila and the AGGIES Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Manolo Fortich, among others.
Mobile corn shellers were provided to several associations such as the San Rafael Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers Association in Talakag and the San Luis Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association Inc. in Malitbog. Moreover, a cassava granulator/chipper and furrower were allocated to the Christ the King Christian Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Libona, while the QUARBA Farmers' Cooperative in Impasug-ong received a farm tractor with implements.
The initiative was carried out through DAR's Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project (CRFPSP) and the Sustainable and Resilient Agrarian Reform Communities Program (SuRe ARC).