ILOCOS FARMERS, FISHERFOLK RECEIVE EARLY "CHRISTMAS GIFTS" FROM AGRI DEPARTMENT

Organized farmers and fisherfolk organizations in Ilocos Norte have received  their early Christmas gifts from the Department of Agriculture (DA).

In a ceremony at the Ilocos Norte Research and Experiment Center (INREC) in Batac City, last Friday,  the DA turned over more than PHP44.5 million worth of different agri-machinery and farm equipment to farmer-leaders of government-accredited agriculture and fisheries organizations and cooperatives, both from the first and second district of Ilocos Norte.

DA acting regional director Nestor Domenden said that in the midst of a national health crisis, it is important for farmers and fishermen to adapt to change and boost their productivity, according to a PNA report.

Among the agri-machinery and equipment that were distributed include five four-wheel-drive tractors, 21 units of pumps and engine set, 6 units combine harvester with baler, 2 precision seeder, five hand tractors, 11 units multi-cultivator, mobile corn husker sheller, mobile recirculating dryer, cassava pulverizer and cassava grater with a presser, among others.

“We hope that you will become more resilient now that you have these machines to help you,” Domenden told the beneficiaries in his speech.

With aging farmers and dwindling agricultural space due to urbanization, the DA is hoping to reverse this trend by pushing for farm mechanization and encouraging the younger generation to take up agriculture courses through various scholarship grants.

Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc, who was present at the event, assured his administration’s all-out support to farmers and fishermen as agriculture remains to be the backbone economy of Ilocos Norte.

“May we continue to mechanize and diversify our crops. May we continue to upgrade and revitalized our soil and help each other in marketing our products,” said Marcos.

Rogelio Ceredon, one of the farmer-beneficiaries from Dingras town, lauded the government's effort to help farmers citing that t is in this time of crisis "that we feel we have a government that listens and acts on our needs".

Ceredon said he and his fellow farmers are inspired to try the new farm machinery entrusted to them.

Aside from the farm machinery and equipment from DA, the provincial government also continues to provide additional agricultural inputs to farmers. 

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