Disaster

(DAR PHOTOS)

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has provided P769,000 worth of farm machinery and equipment to four agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations (ARBOs) in four towns of Camarines Sur, benefiting around 200 disaster-affected farmers.

In a statement, the agrarian reform department said Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization of Mandiclom (ARBOM) in Mandiclom, Caramoan received one unit mobile rice milling and polishing machine; Sagrada Farmers and Farmworkers Association (SAFFA) in Sagrada, Tinambac was granted with one unit Roto tilling machine with implements; Camuning Farmers Association (CFA) in Camuning, Calabanga and Palestina People's Multi-purpose Association (PPMA) Inc. in Palestina, Pili each received one unit hand tractor with implements and one unit corn sheller.

As such, organization members were also given familiarization and maintenance training on farm machinery and equipment to equip them with new farming techniques and tools.

The DAR said this was made possible through the Sustainable Livelihood Support for Disaster Affected Areas (SLSDAA) project, a program that seeks to create alternative livelihoods or restore and rehabilitate those that have been impacted by the effects of climate change.

Camarines Sur agrarian reform chief Engr. Renato O. Bequillo stated that the DAR has not only provided much-needed assistance to individuals who have suffered the devastation of natural disasters in the past, but has also taken an important step toward fostering sustainable livelihoods in the impacted areas.

"With [these] farm equipment, the four ARBOs can now start their agribusiness enterprises and provide services to their members, and other small farmers in the community," he said.

Bequillo stated that the DAR ensures that agricultural reform recipients have access to resources so that they may participate to the local economy's growth.

"This initiative is a testament to the commitment of the DAR to provide a positive impact in the lives of farmers, and it is undoubtedly a step in the right direction towards building resilient communities," he continued.