October 26, 2021 โ The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) turned-over P306.2 million worth of farm machineries and equipment to 170 Farmersโ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) in the Province of Isabela earlier today at the Isabela Sports Complex, Alibagu, City of Ilagan, Isabela.
PhilMech distributed 213 units of assorted farm machineries and equipment to qualified FCAs consisting of 46 units fourwheel tractors, 24 rice combine harvesters, 17 hand tractors, 12 recirculating dryers, 3 mobile rice mills and other farm equipment including transplanters, mechanical threshers, floating thriller, PTO driven disc plow/harrow, multi-stage rice mill and DE stoner.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar urged the farmers to use the machines well and work together to achieve a food-secured and resilient Philippines with prosperous farmers and fisherfolks.
PhilMech Director Baldwin Jallorina urged farmer-beneficiaries to take good care of them so they could be used by the next generation of farmers.
Meanwhile, Gov. Rodito Albano III vowed that the Provincial Government will allocate funds for the maintenance and insurance of the farm machineries and equipment to maximize its use. He likewise pleaded PhilMech Director Jallorina to consider the need of the Farmers Irrigators Association, especially other farm equipment like buck hoe.
Vice Gov. Faustino โBojieโ Dy III lauded the support of Agriculture Secretary Dar to the farmers of Isabela.
DA Regional Director Narciso Edillo said that Isabela is the second contributor to rice production in the country while affirming that farm mechanization is key to a food-secured Philippines.(Isabela PIO)
