BATANGAS CITY, August 17, 2020 – In response to the meeting last March 2, 2020 held at the DA-Central office by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program, the Turkey government have turned-over Php 1.305 million worth of agricultural equipment to two farmers’ associations of Eastern Samar.

SAAD Program Director Myer G. Mula accepted the donations from TIKA Country Director Mustafa Kerimoğlu on behalf of the SAAD farmer-beneficiaries. Also present during the event were SAAD Deputy Director Ulysses Lustria Jr., and Ms. Charisse Vitto of TIKA Manila Program Coordination Office, with other TIKA and SAAD staff.

The equipment was given to aid the Tabi Rice Planters Association in the municipality of Balangkayan and San Pedro Farmers Association in the municipality of Quinapondan for their rice production activities.

Two units of Rice Threshers (12 hp); five units Pump and Engine set (6.5 hp); five Grass Cutters (Kawasaki TD-40T 2-stroke); and two units Sumo Rice Reaper (7 hp) will be delivered to Tabi Rice Planters Association worth Php 643,500.00, while two units Sumo Plus Hand Tractors (7 hp); two units Rice Threshers (12 hp), and 8 units Pump and Engine set (6.5 hp) was granted to San Pedro Farmers Association with total cost of Php 662,000.00.

The equipment was immediately shipped after the ceremony and will be turned-over to the associations on August 19, 2020 through DA-SAAD RPMSO 8.

About SAAD-TIKA Partnership

In 2017, DA-SAAD has sought project collaboration with TIKA in a meeting with its former Country Director Burak Saritarla. DA-SAAD has then received generously from the agency, as it aims to provide aid in employment generation to develop Filipino communities. Around 2019, 30 horses and technical training were provided to Katabalangan Indigenous Farmers Association and Nanawatan Nabuangan Upland Developer Association in the Province of Apayao. ###

Writer: Natalianne Marie O. Delos Reyes, SAAD NPMO-Public Relations and Communications Officer

Source: Ashley Mae Apigo, SAAD NPMO- Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) Focal Person for Regions 8 and 9