ALEOSAN, North Cotabato—A farmers’ cooperative here is expected to be more productive and profitable after the provincial government and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) awarded farm machineries over the weekend, officials said on Monday.
New Leon Multi-Purpose Cooperative (NLMPC) in Barangay New Leon, Aleosan, obtained farm machineries and facilities consisting of two four-wheel drive 90-horsepower tractors, four corn shellers and one flatbed drier which will be used by more than 100 cooperative members in the village of New Leon.
Emelita Mayol, head of the Project Board of Directors of Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (Arccess) of the DAR 12, said the distribution of machineries aims to strengthen the agrarian reform beneficiaries by providing them with technical support and assistance.
The tractor costs P3.6 million each; the corn sheller was P167,800 each, and the drier was P988,000. The total project cost was P8,859,200. Mayol said the funds were taken from the Common Service Facilities (CFS) of the Arccess.
“These farming machineries will provide the members of New Leon MPC with a wide range of help from tilling and planting to harvest and postharvest of corn products,” Mayol said.
Aside from CFS, Arccess has four other components and these are the Agri-Technology and Extension Services, Business Development Services, Credit Facilitation and Land Tenure Improvement.
Timothy Rubin, chairman of NLMPC, formally received the project from Mayol and other representatives from the DAR during the simple ceremonial turnover held in the village.
Cotabato Gov. Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza was also there to witness the turnover and speak on behalf of the provincial government of Cotabato.
The turnover was also witnessed by Aleosan Municipal Mayor Vicente C. Sorupia, village officials, headed by Zeny Carton, chairman of Barangay New Leon, officers and members of NLMPC and their families and other stakeholders.
“The members of NLMPC are blessed to have this farm machines and facilities because it will surely help them to be more productive and in effect make their lives better,” Sorupia said.
He also said the provincial government continues to implement programs and projects intended to help farmers attain a sustainable source of living and one of these is the constant partnership of the provincial government with the DAR.
North Cotabato is the leading agriculture producer in Region 12. It consists the provinces of North and South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Koronadal, Tacurong and General Santos.
PNA