Coconut farmers receive P4.7-M facility

MANILA, Philippines - At least P4.7 million worth of post-harvest facilities have been turned over to coconut farmers in Davao del Sur, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said yesterday.

DAR Undersecretary Rosalina Bistoyong said the equipment would be used in a 669-hectare coconut farm in Magsaysay town.

“At least 800 farmers from the villages of San Miguel, Glamang, Tagaytay, Balnate, Bacungan and Malawanit, will benefit from this project,” Bistoyong said.

The DAR will closely work with the farmers to help them improve production and raise their standard of living.

The project was implemented under the Mindanao Sustainable Agrarian and Agriculture Development (MINSAAD) funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

The municipal government of Magsaysay provided 30 percent of the fund needed to complete the project.

Kasya Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative chairman Eduardo Lopez Sr. thanked the DAR, MINSAAD and the local government for helping them improved their lives.

 “We will continue to seek technical assistance from various government agencies, particularly DAR to improve our coconut and cacao production. We assure you that we will take good care of these facilities,” Lopez said.

Aside from Lopez’s cooperative, the facility will benefit seven other farmers’ group.