ROMBLON, October 2, 2024 – To help farmers in land preparation and make farming work more efficient, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) MIMAROPA provided nine (9) hand tractors, worth Php 1,345,500, to nine (9) farmers’ associations (FAs) in Romblon on August 29.

The farmers who accepted the hand tractors for crop production projects are members of San Isidro Livestock and Poultry Producers Association and Camili Vegetable Growers Association in Alcantara; Tubigon Vegetable Growers Association and Claro M. Recto Corn and Cassava Farmers Association in Ferrol; Linao Vegetable and Crop Growers Association in Calatrava; Matis-Anon Farmers Association and Doña Trinidad Farmers Association in San Andres; Concepcion Norte Farmers and Fisherfolks Association in Sta. Maria; and Toctoc Organic Farmers Association in Banton. 

Among these beneficiary associations, eight (8) specialize in vegetable production, and one (1) in corn production. This machinery will play a significant role in both their communal and individual farming; land preparation, and cultivation of vegetable crops; and land preparation, leveling, and tilling for corn production, which is intended for the next cropping season, starting this October. 

Mrs. Nelinda Martinez, president of the Doña Trinidad Farmers Association, expressed her gratitude to the SAAD Program for providing the machinery. She also shared her confidence about how it will boost the association’s future production.

“Yan ang pinaka-aantay namin [hand tractor] na may pinakamalaking parte sa mga gagawin namin dito sa aming garden, na nagkaroon kami sa efforts ng taga-SAAD. Marami na rin kaming natanggap pero ito ang pinakaaantay namin para hindi na kami maghirap sa pagbungkal sa aming garden dito sa Doña Trinidad. Salamat po sa lahat ng mga taga-SAAD MIMAROPA,” said Martinez. 

(This is what we have been waiting for – [the hand tractor], which plays a significant role in our work here in our garden, thanks to the efforts of the SAAD team. We have received many things already, but this is what we have been looking forward to the most, so we won’t struggle anymore with tilling our garden here in Doña Trinidad. Thank you to everyone from SAAD MIMAROPA.)

Mr. Florencio Ursua, Sr., the president of the Camili Vegetable Growers Association, was also thankful for the support they received. This will help them reduce their manual work and make land preparation easier.

“Malaking bagay na makatipid sa aming trabaho kaya lahat ‘yan ay aming iingatan at ginagamit namin kapag kami ay nag-gagardening para naman maalwan ang aming trabaho. Malaking bagay talaga sa amin yan kasi makagaan sa dati naming trabaho na hirap, pero sa ngayon na nandyan na ‘yan ay malaking kaluwagan sa aming trabaho,” she shared. 

(It is a big help in saving us work, so we will take care of it and use it when we are gardening to make our work easier. It truly means a lot to us because it lightens the burden of our previous hard work, but now that it is here, it brings us great relief in our tasks.)

After the delivery of the agricultural machinery, the supplier’s representative, along with personnel from the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED), conducted a demonstration for the farmers. They showed the farmers how to properly use and maintain the machinery to ensure its effectiveness and longevity. This hands-on training was essential for equipping the farmers with the skills they needed to maximize the benefits of the new equipment. SAAD MIMAROPA personnel facilitated the delivery in coordination with the Municipal Agriculture Office of the respective municipalities. ###

Writer: Reymond S. Ilao, DA- SAAD MIMAROPA Information Officer I

Sources: Engr. Maiden Marie N.  Segui, DA- SAAD MIMAROPA Associate Project Officer II, Engr. Cleo M. Begaso, DA- SAAD MIMAROPA Administrative Assistant V