Various farmers’ associations from cities and municipalities of the province received floating tiller units, worth a total of P1.1 million, from the provincial government of Negros Occidental in a turnover ceremony held at the Negros First Organic Technology Center (NFOTeC) in Bago City July 18.
The farmer-beneficiaries were briefed on the operation, rules, use, and maintenance of the farm machinery, followed by a machine demo, facilitated by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist.
The project beneficiaries are the Tuy-anan Farmers Association of Don Salvador Benedicto, Camao Farmers Small Water Irrigation System Association (Swisa) in Calatrava, Canlusong Proper Swisa (E.B. Magalona), Binintigan Farmers and Rural Farm Workers Association (Victorias City);
Gloria Ilimnan ARB Farmers Association (Murcia), Pandanon Silos Farmers Association (Murcia), Sandungao Swisa (Bago City), Siga-siga Agrarian Reform Farmers Association (La Castellana), Had. Jardiolin ARB (Moises Padilla), Brgy. Culipapa Cemeco Swisa (Hinoba-an), Daug Swisa (Hinoba-an), Dangula Culipapa Farmers (Hinoba-an), and the Federation of Irrigators Association-Central Negros.
The floating tiller is a walking-type agricultural tractor commonly used in waterlogged fields. It is equipped with front-mounted tilling wheels and a flotation structure, a Capitol press release said, adding it is a multi-purpose farming tool, designed to be portable and simple for fast and efficient land preparation, and useful in deep mudded fields.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, meanwhile, thanked the farmers for their efforts in the implementation of food security and support to the agricultural productivity agenda of the provincial government. ||
