Eight agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations received tractors complete with accessories from the Department of Agrarian Reform under the Agrarian Reform Cooperative Connectivity and Support Services Program during a turnover ceremony at the DAR Compound in Dawis, Bacolod City, yesterday.

The tractors are part of the common service facilities for farmer beneficiaries for use in the block farming program jointly assisted by the DAR and the Sugar Regulatory Administration.

The recipients are the Dolis Agrarian Reform Cooperative of Calatrava, Don Esteban ARB Association and Hda. Bongco Farmers Association of Escalante City, Hda. Canaan ARB Association and Hda. Bernardita Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Cadiz City, CASA Agrarian Reform Cooperative of Talisay City, and San Vicente Agrarian Reform Cooperative and Hda. Pula-Silay Agrarian Reform Cooperative of Silay City.

During the program, DAR Undersecretary Rosalina Bistoyong said she wants to see the recipient cooperatives achieve the goal of the program to increase the production and its continuity.

She said she wants them to emulate the production record of Thailand of 60 tons per hectare and for them to become richer. She will talk with the SRA on agreements in future projects, and a Japanese agricultural group are coming to observe in the block farming next week, she said.

Johanna Jadoc, focal person for the SRA National Block Farming Program, said the turnover of the tractors means the government is walking the talk and not just sitting on the desk but is in the field. She said the support services means capacity, power and responsibility for the farmers.

PARPO II Teresita Mabunay called the tractors as “manna” from heaven and it was a dream come true after two years, for them and the farmers. PARPO I Milagros Flores said the turnover is just the first and more are coming this year and the next. She said they will also award hand tractors to palay farmers in the coming months.

The supplier of the implements has given one year services in case there are minor problems and repairs. Flores also said there will be a trust agreement of six months for the farmers to prove their capacity to maintain the tractors and its implements.

A monitoring team will make reports and updates and if the result is satisfying the the tractors will be donated to them, but if there are violations, the agreement will be revoked, she added.*MNM

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