Agricultural equipment worth 10,354,000 pesos was granted to farmers and fishermen in Cagayan Valley through the High Value Crops Development Program of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office No. 02 (DA RFO 02) to various Farmers and Fisherfolk Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) across Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino.
The ceremony was held at the Southern Cagayan Valley Research Center Annex in Maguirig, Solana, Cagayan, and was attended by representatives from five FCAs, including the Tapao Agriculture Cooperative, Sanguit Upland Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Aritao Irrigators Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Women’s Garlic Onion Growers Association Inc., and Paraiso United Farmers Association.
Some of the distributed items include a 4-wheel drive tractor worth PHP 1.6 million, four hauling trucks worth PHP 2,188,500, and agricultural inputs aimed at strengthening the agricultural sector in the region.
Representing Regional Executive Director Dr. Rose Mary G. Aquino, RTD Kay S. Olivas urged the cooperatives to take care of the provided agricultural equipment. “Umaasa kami na hindi ninyo ito titingnan bilang isang bagay na ipinapataw sa inyo kundi bilang tunay na pangangailangan ninyo. Marami ang nangangailangan, at kayo ay pinalad na mapili,” she said.
The representatives from the FCAs, including Mrs. Dominga Tibingen of Cagayan, Mrs. Joselyn Agcaoili of Nueva Vizcaya, Mr. Bonnevie Dumayan of Quirino, and Mr. Jessie Ligue of Nueva Vizcaya promised to use and value the support from the government to the best of their ability.#
