THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently turned over postharvest facilities (PHF) amounting to P2.08 million to the Mapalad, Bautista, San Antonio, Santo Niño Marketing Cooperative (MBSS) in Mapalad Hillside Agrarian Reform Community in San Agustin, Isabela, to boost farmers’ income.
DAR-Cagayan Regional Director Marjorie P. Ayson said the facilities were implemented under the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project III, and funded by the Japan Banking International Cooperation, in partnership with the local government unit of San Agustin under the cost-sharing scheme.
Ayson said the project consists of a 72 square-meter warehouse that can accommodate 5000 cavans of rice and a 450-sq-m solar dryer to serve 187 members of the said cooperative. San Agustin Mayor Virgilio A. Padilla thanked the DAR for the facilities, as it would greatly help farmers reduce losses arising from lack of storage and drying facilities.
MBSS Chairman Virgilio Juan said the facilities serve as a pre-requisite in farming to attain good quality of grains and corn.
“We do not need to dry anymore our grains on the road for it results to damaging our produce. Things will be different now that we have these facilities,” he added.
Arthur Juguilol, a member of the cooperative, said their dreams have been realized.
“Let us seize this chance for us to become productive so that we could also help our fellows as soon as our income increases,” he said.