A memorandum of agreement was signed by the Department of Agrarian Reform-North, Negros Occidental and five AR organizations on the implementation of the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services at Natures Village and Restaurant in Talisay City, yesterday.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer-North Enrique Paderes said ARCCESS aims to improve farm productivity and sustainable net income for ARBs through their organizations.

He said the project provides a three-year grant of professional services and common services facilities to the ARBO beneficiaries that they will receive based on their needs and an assessment.

The professional service grant includes trainings on agricultural extension, access to credit, and business development for the community-based enterprise organizer designated by the ARBO beneficiaries while the CSF provides farm machineries like tractors and other post harvest facilities and equipment, Paderes said.

The project will also train them on financial management, marketing, and technology training to safeguard their livelihood and in preparation for the 2015 where 0 tariffs on sugar will be implemented, he also said.

The five ARBO beneficiaries are Dolis ARB-Multipurpose Cooperative of Calatrava, Hacienda Bernardita ARBMPC of Cadiz City, Casa ARBMPC of Talisay City, Bennez ARB Farmers’ Association of Bacolod City, and San Vicente 1 AR Cooperative of Silay City.

Paderes said 239 members of five ARBOs will benefit the project.

He reminded the beneficiaries to manage, operate, and maintain the CSF efficiently and economically to ensure their profitability and to use the project to the needs of ARBs including non-members of their organization.

He said DAR, will provide services of professional service providers who will deploy agricultural extension and business development support, procure CSF for the beneficiaries and to monitor and evaluate the project implementation. *LTG

back to top