Nueva Ecija farmers receive P137 million machinery

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines — Farmers in Nueva Ecija have received P137 million worth of machinery from the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech).

Up to 61 farmers’ cooperatives and associations as well as local government units (LGUs) benefited from the mechanization program of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).

May Ville Castro, chief of the PHilMech facility management and field operations division, said 70 machines including 59 tractors, seven threshers and four rice reapers were distributed to farmers’ groups and LGUs. 

Castro cited the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 11203 as basis in determining the beneficiaries of the RCEF mechanization program.

Rice-based farmers’ cooperatives and associations were prioritized in the accreditation by the Department of Agriculture.

If a particular area has no qualified farmers’ cooperative and association, or if these groups fail to meet the requirement, the LGU may become the beneficiary and will oversee the operation of the machinery.

Castro reminded recipients of the machinery to observe proper use and maintainance. 

“May all these be used for the right purpose so we can achieve its objective, which is to lower production cost and reduce losses,” Castro said.

To ensure efficiency, the PHilMech conducts training on the proper use and management of the machines.

Farmers who are non-beneficiaries may use the machines at affordable rates. Proceeds will be used for the maintenance of the apparatus.

“Beneficiaries should charge less than the prevailing price in the private sector to allow fellow farmers to use the machines,” Castro said.