The Department of Agriculture (DA) distributed P73.3 million worth of modern farm equipment and machinery to various farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) and local government units (LGUs) in Ilocos Norte last week.
The initiative, part of the 2023 Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program, aims to modernize Philippine agriculture and improve the lives of farmers.
“I can feel the energy and excitement of our farmers as the DA and PhilMech bring them blessings from the RCEF Mechanization Program and the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Program (CFIDP)-Shared Processing Facilities,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel.
A total of 52 FCAs and LGUs benefited from the program, receiving 78 units of various farm machinery, including two four-wheel tractors, 30 hand tractors, 12 rice combine harvesters, walk-behind and riding transplanters, seeders, recirculating dryers and rice mills.
Coconut cooperative groups in the province also received P26.8 million worth of shared processing facilities to enable them to produce virgin coconut oil and coconut flour.
Laurel said that since the implementation of RCEF, Ilocos Norte has received P532.5 million worth of machinery from DA and the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech).
“I commend PhilMech for their continued distribution of machinery and facilities to the best of their ability. This is a testament to their commitment to serve our farmers, our partners in ensuring food security for every Filipino using modern methods,” he said.
Laurel, who succeeded President Marcos Jr. as Agriculture secretary, emphasized his commitment to listening to the concerns of farmers and fisherfolk to achieve a food-secure nation.