• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Around P101 million in dump trucks, tractors, and farm implements were turned over to Mill District Development Councils (MDDCs) in Negros Occidental, and farm implements and tractors to block farm recipients, by the Sugar Regulatory Administration at its La Granja Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SRA-LGAREC) in La Carlota City Feb. 22.
Seven of the 10 heavy-duty dump trucks, each worth P7 million, were received by leaders and representatives of La Carlota, Biscom, Sagay, Lopez, First Farmers, Sonedco, and Victorias MDDCs, while the three remaining vehicles will be stationed at SRA-LGAREC.
The dump trucks should be used in the hauling of raw materials, such as mudpress, vinasse, organic inputs, and others for soil rejuvenation, the SRA said at the turnover ceremony, led by Administrator Pablo Luiz Azcona and other SRA executives.
Farm implements, worth P27,406,800, as well as farm tractor with farm implements, amounting to P3,647,000, were also turned over the ARBs and block farmers.
Azcona said SRA is “very happy and proud to provide every farmer with the best possible equipment that our government can afford.”
Negros Occidental 5th District Rep. Dino Yulo, meanwhile, challenged blocks farmers to increase their productivity, especially with the needed equipment.
“We cannot increase productivity without our farmers having modern equipment; the challenge for our block farms now is to deliver,” Yulo, former SRA board member representing the planters, stressed.
He said that since the farmers joined block farming and received the best equipment, they should produce result through increased productivity or yield, noting that the sugar industry remains as the lifeblood of Negros Occidental.
The SRA’s block farming program consolidates individual farms with consolidated area of a minimum 30 hectares within the two-kilometer radius, owned by small agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), to be converted into communal farming and agribusiness centers, through professionalized farm management and mechanized farming, as well as logistical, financial, technical, and production support services.
The SRA said that since the start of the program in 2016, a total of 167 block farms, involving 5,423.60 hectares and with 4,565 members/enrollees were established.
This year, an additional 13 block farms successfully passed the validation process by the Block Farm Validation Team.
Total SIDA-Block Farm allocation, from 2016 to 2024, reached P698 million, with P279 million earmarked for production support, including start-up capital and for the nursery of high-yielding varieties.
Farm mechanization support, on the other hand, amounted to P408 million, including 108 units of 90HP farm tractor with farm implements, 51 tractors with sugarcane harvester, 44 units of sugarcane grabber/loader, 173 units irrigation facilities with complete accessories, and 53 units of rain gun; and P10 million as additional livelihood assistance. | CGC
