Three associations of farmers in the Antique are recipients of farm machinery from the Department of Agriculture (DA) to boost their rice production.

Sonie Guanco, Antique chief of the DA Agriculture Program Coordinating Office (APCO), said in an interview Friday that they have turned over two units of rice combined harvesters to the Sibalom Catungan I-IV Irrigators Association in Barangay Catungan, Sibalom, and one unit to the Sta. Fe Irrigators Association of the town of Pandan.

The Cubay South Farmers’ Association in Bugasong town also received a four-wheel drive tractor.

“The farmer’s associations were the first to receive the mechanization this year using the funding from DA,” he said.

Another batch of farmers’ associations will receive their farm equipment next year.

Guanco said the recipient associations are responsible for the maintenance of the machinery

“Members of the farmers’ associations could avail of the farm machinery for lesser fees depending on their agreement,” Guanco said.

Farmers’ associations duly accredited by the DA could avail of the machinery by submitting a letter of intent.

“Nowadays, it is already quite hard to hire farm workers, that is why farm mechanization is needed,” Guanco said.

The funds for the farm equipment were realized through the initiatives of Senator Loren Legarda and Antique Rep. Antonio Agapito Legarda. (PNA)