EASTERN SAMAR, August 19, 2020 – Two farmers’ association (FA)–beneficiaries of the Rice Production Enhancement Project of the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Special Area for Agriculture Development (SAAD) Program in Eastern Samar received agricultural equipment from the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) Manila.

Prior to this, SAAD Program Director Myer G. Mula accepted the donations from TIKA Country Director Mustafa Kerimoglu, on behalf of the beneficiaries during a simple turnover ceremony held in Batangas City last August 17, 2020.

The equipment, which includes rice threshers, pump and engine set, heavy-duty grass cutters, rice reapers, and hand tractors, were delivered to Tabi Rice Planters Association (TRPA) in the Municipality of Balangkayan and San Pedro Farmers Association (SPFA) in the municipality of Quinapondan.

The `Turnover Ceremony of Agricultural Equipment Support´ held at the BACO Center, Balangkayan, Eastern Samar was well–attended by provincial and municipal local government officials, among them Atty. Philip Evardone, on behalf of Governor Ben Evardone; SAAD Program Regional Focal Person and Regional Technical Director Larry U. Sultan of DA–Regional Field Office 8; SAAD Program Regional Action Officer Ferlynn V. Basaňez; Agricultural Provincial Coordinating Office Mary Grace Palconit; SAAD Provincial Program Management Support Office–Eastern Samar staff; Philippine Information Agency–Eastern Samar staff; and the farmers’ association officials and members.

In the afternoon of the same day, a similar activity was held at Brgy. San Pedro Gym, Quinapondan, Eastern Samar. Provincial/municipal government officials were in full force to lend support to the turnover ceremony.

Vice Gov. Maricar Goteesan, on behalf of Provincial Gov. Ben P. Evardone, gave an inspirational message She motivated the farmers to support each other and to take advantage of the wholehearted support from the Provincial Agriculturist’s Office and Office of the Municipal Agricultural Services of Quinapondan.

She asked the farmers to prove to the benefactor that they are worth assisting by showing their determination to succeed in their farming endeavor.  She also urged the farmers to maintain the status of the municipality as vital rice granary of Eastern Samar.

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) works with an approach that involves sharing Turkey’s development experience with other countries and relies on an understanding of “cooperation partnership.” At the root of this understanding, there is compatible, sustainable, and multilateral cooperation, and the projects have one hundred percent success rate thanks to actors that take on suitable roles.  Focusing on development cooperation, TİKA works in more than 150 countries, including the ones where their offices are located.