7.2M-Worth Rice Machinery Received by Prosperidad
The Municipality of Prosperidad further strengthened its agricultural sector as the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO), under the leadership of Municipal Agriculturist Ma’am Marlita Cortez, successfully conducted the ceremonial turnover of rice machinery worth ₱7.2 million to local farmers’ organizations.
The beneficiary groups included the Farmers Alternative for Self-Reliance Multi-Purpose Cooperative (FASRMCO) of Barangay San Vicente, SIAMALU Irrigators Association, Inc. of Barangay Lucena, and LASUERVAS Irrigators Association, Inc. of Barangay La Suerte. These organizations play a vital role in sustaining rice production in their respective communities and in contributing to the municipality’s overall food security efforts.
The assistance consisted of three (3) units of Four-Wheel Drive Tractors, each equipped with a rotary tiller, front loader, and PTO-driven disc plow. The machinery was granted by the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) – Mechanization Program. The program aims to modernize Philippine agriculture by improving farm productivity, reducing labor costs, and enhancing efficiency through the provision of appropriate farm mechanization technologies.
Despite the municipality recently experiencing significant crop losses due to the shear line weather disturbance that affected several rice-producing areas, the local government of Prosperidad remains steadfast in its commitment to agricultural recovery and modernization. The turnover of these machineries signifies hope and resilience among farmers, ensuring that they can quickly rehabilitate affected farmlands and restore productivity through efficient land preparation and cultivation.
The ceremonial turnover was formally received by the chairpersons of the beneficiary farmers’ cooperatives and irrigators’ associations. The event was graced by distinguished officials, including Ricardo “Bong” Oñate Jr., Regional Executive Director of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office XIII; Provincial Agriculturist Armando “Matt” Valiente; Municipal Mayor Frederick Mark “Eric” Plaza Mellana; Municipal Vice Mayor Jesusimo “Nanoy” Ronquillo; members of the 20th Sangguniang Bayan; and Municipal Agriculturist Ma’am Marlita Cortez.
In his message, Director Oñate emphasized the government’s continued commitment to empowering farmers through mechanization and innovation. He highlighted that modern equipment such as four-wheel drive tractors significantly reduces production time and operational costs while increasing farm output and income opportunities for farmers.
Mayor Mellana likewise expressed his gratitude to the Department of Agriculture and PHilMech for their unwavering support to the farmers of Prosperidad. He underscored that even in the face of natural calamities, the municipality continues to prioritize agricultural mechanization as a long-term solution to strengthen resilience, boost productivity, and secure the livelihood of local farmers.
With the addition of these modern farm implements, the beneficiary associations are expected to improve land preparation efficiency, expand cultivated areas, accelerate post-disaster recovery efforts, and enhance overall rice productivity. The initiative marks another milestone in Prosperidad’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainable agricultural development and ensure food security for the community.
DIO: Benjie Fiel Banjao
