Close to one billion pesos worth of agricultural projects, including infrastructures, farm machinery and equipment were distributed to farmers and fishers of Region XII provinces during the second leg of the Makinaryang Pansakahan, Dagdag Kita at Yaman on March 3, 2015 held at the Tupi Seed Center, in Bololmala, Tupi, South Cotabato.

A total of P995.4 million in postharvest machinery and other farm equipment were awarded to organized farm groups and irrigators’ associations, as well as to local government units as part of the government’s drive to uplift the lives of agricultural laborers thru mechanization and ultimately attain peace in Mindanao.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala and Senate Committee on Food and Agriculture Chair Cynthia Villar led the distribution of interventions witnessed by more than 2,400 farmers who attended the event.

“His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III has instructed me to personally deliver to you these assistance since you have been a constant and sturdy partner of the Department of Agriculture in attaining food sufficiency and sustainability,” Alcala said.

“You should know that your region is one of the very first regions to avail of development projects under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP),” he said.

“This just shows how serious you are in helping us attain our target to achieve higher farm growth and improved livelihood for every Filipino,” he added.

The agri chief urged everyone to continue to participate in various rural development projects of the government.

Isulan Mayor Dado Palasique, expressed his gratitude to the Secretary highlighting that with the assistance from DA and PRDP, Isulan’s former roadless paths have been cemented, opening more economic opportunities and possibilities for the farmers and residents of the Sultan Kudarat town.

“Salamat sa PRDP, sa DA at sa World Bank, pagkatapos ng 57 years meron nang sementadong daan sa Isulan,” he said.

The event featured a virtual turnover of approximately P221.3 million projects presented via geotagging technology, which consist of two units of rice processing center established in Libungan and Pigcawayan, Cotabato Province, one unit of corn-on-cobs village-type dryer, and farm-to-market road projects.

During the event, Alcala and Villar also led the awarding of P734 M worth of agri-interventions including tillers, hand tractors, harvesters, and project funds, among others.

Last year, on October 22, DA-Regional Field Office in Region XII awarded a total of P250 M worth of farm machineries and equipment during the first part of the Makinaryang Pansakahan event. ### (Oda Rodriguez)