The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently turned over the first Provincial Agrarian Reform Information and Marketing Center (AIM-C) in Barangay Don Dimas Querubin in Caoayan, Ilocos Sur.
AIM-C will serve as marketing arm of farmers’ cooperatives in the province.
Ilocos Sur Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Christianne C. Suguitan said the AIM-C worth around P40.6 million is funded by the DAR through the Japan International Coordinating Agency under the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project (Arisp) Phase III, in partnership with the Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives (NSCC) and local government of Caoayan.
The AIM-C building would also cater the agri-extension services and training needs of agrarian-reform beneficiaries in the area.
Caoayan Mayor Germelina Goulart said the farmers are the government’s kakinnibin, local term for partner, in development and progress. With the partnership, Goulart said AIM-C will be able to achieve its purpose.
Suguitan, for her part, said she is confident that with the support of local government units Caoayan and the capability of NSCC to manage the AIM-C will boost farmers’ income.
Henry Zapata, the assistant national project manager of Arisp III is confident of AIM-C’s successful operation.
Divina Quemi, CEO of NSCC, thanked the DAR for the project, particularly Engr. Yuhiro Sekiguchi, the Arisp III Japanese consultant, for his “unwavering belief” in NSCC.
Quemi also thanked Goulart who is equally supportive to all the projects of the NSCC.
During the turnover, Vice Gov. Deogracias Victor Savellano said “a beautiful building and facility must be properly utilized to serve its purpose.” Savellano then distributed the “Ryan” corn to the farmers in Caoayan, Ilocos Sur, as part of the provincial government’s assistance to the farmers.