Farmer cooperatives and associations from the different municipalities of Oriental Mindoro received various farm machineries and equipment from the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PhilMech) during the turnover ceremony held on December 16, 2021 at the Bulwagang Panlalawigan, Provincial Capitol Complex, Calapan City.
A total of 29 FCAs were awarded with 185 million pesos worth of farm machineries comprised of 13 units of combine harvesters with trailer, 7 units of 4-wheel tractors with rotavator, precision planter and walk-behind transplanter. To top it all, Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor proudly announced that a recirculating dryer and a multi-stage milling facility will be set-up in every municipality of the province. A total of 30 recirculating dryer and 15 multi-stage milling facility will be provided.
The turnover ceremony was attended by Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor, PhilMech Food Protection Division Chief Engr. Don David Julian representing PhilMech Exe cutive Director Dr. Baldwin Jallorina, DA-MIMAROPA Regional Executive Director Antonio Gerundio, representatives from the Office of Senator Cynthia Villar and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI-MIMAROPA), Provincial Agriculturist Christine M. Pine, and several farmer leaders of the FCA beneficiaries.
The distribution of farm machineries is part of the mechanization component of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) being implemented by PhilMech. This is also the third straight year that FCAs of the province received various farm machineries which will significantly increase Oriental Mindoro’s level of farm mechanization and further improve rice production.