BILIRAN, September 27, 2023 – To promote efficient farm production in rural communities, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 2 granted 10 units of Walking Type Agricultural Tractor-Rotary tilling type worth Php 2,388,888 to 10 farmers’ associations (FAs) cultivating crops in Biliran. This is in support of the DA’s thrust for agricultural mechanization and modernization.  

The said farm implements under diversified corn and vegetable production projects were given to the FAs with 225 total beneficiaries from SAAD priority municipalities of Almeria, Biliran, Cabucgayan, Caibiran, Culaba, Kawayan, and Maripipi during the simultaneous deliveries on June 7-8, 2023.  

These implements which were distributed to each farmer group will contribute a lot to their farming activities, specifically in the soil preparation. 

In introducing livelihood projects, SAAD Eastern Visayas used the Beneficiary Needs Assessment (BNA) results to make sure that interventions respond to the farmers’ needs. The assessment concluded that these identified farmer groups have suitable areas for corn and vegetables but with low adoption of farm mechanization. With the provision of these machines, their farming activities will not only be a lot easier and more efficient, but will also increase land productivity through timely and quality cultivation, likewise lessen labor cost. 

Before the distribution, the DA’s Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) conducted an inspection to test the tillers, while an expert from the supplier trained two members each from the FAs on their operation and maintenance. The power tillers, specifically, are valued at Php 238,888 per unit.

Table 1. SAAD Livelihood Projects and Recipient FAs in Biliran

“Dako gyud ni nga tabang sa among parag-uma ug sa among asosasyon nga mao ni ang makapadali sa trabahoon hilabi na sa pag cultivar sa yuta ug dako pud nga iban sa gasto sa amon pananom. Dagh ang salamat sa DA kay naa na gyud SAAD nga programa dre sa among probinsiya,” he said.

(This is a big help to us, farmers and for the entire association. This will make our farming activities easier and this will lessen our cost of production. Thank you so much DA that finally, the SAAD Program is already here in our province.)

Through the provision of accessible farm technology resources and technical support from SAAD, farmers cultivating corn and vegetables in Biliran can achieve good yields, leading to improved food production and household consumption of rural communities. With increased harvest outputs, mechanization efforts of SAAD can help its beneficiaries develop their subsistence farming into market-oriented farming. ###

Writer: Justine May A. Delloro, DA-SAAD Eastern Visayas Information Officer 

Source: Ceiara A. Uraga, DA-SAAD-Biliran Associate Project Officer