THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently turned over 100 shredding machines worth P49.5 million to farmers affected by Supertyphoon Yolanda to jump-start the establishment of small-scale vermiculture farms and production of organic fertilizers in Eastern Visayas.
DAR-Eastern Visayas Regional Director Shiela Enciso said the shredders could help agrarian-reform beneficiaries generate additional income through composting by turning biodegradable debris into income-generating organic fertilizer. The DAR is also offering training to farmers on vermiculture.
The provision of shredders to agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (Arbos) and trainings to farmers was implemented and funded under the Agrarian Reform Communities Connectivity and Economic Support Services in support of the government’s recovery and rehabilitation effort in Yolanda-affected areas. The DAR has also allocated P5 million for the farmers’ business training and the provision of African night crawlers, compost tea brewer and materials for the preparation of vermi-beds.
“Aside from producing organic fertilizers, the farmers have the option to venture into producing and selling African night crawlers for vermiculture or growing their own crops using the organic fertilizer,” Enciso said.
Nonoy Moraca, technical consultant of the RU Foundry, the manufacturer of the shredder machine, assured the DAR and the beneficiaries of the project assistance to ensure the success of the project.
RU Foudry committed to provide the complete package to 15 Arbos consisting of 30 kilos of African night crawlers, two units of compost tea brewer and six units of vermi-beds comprising the starter kit.
Ismael Aya-ay, Assistant Regional Director for Program Beneficiaries Development, said some 10,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries and ordinary farmers would benefit from the project. More than half of the beneficiaries are from Leyte, being the most affected by super typhoon Yolanda.
Aya-ay said 54 organizations are from Leyte, 16 from Eastern Samar, 10 from Biliran, 9 from Samar, 7 from Southern Leyte, and 4 from Northern Samar have been identified as beneficiaries of the project.