The city government on Monday renewed its commitment to boosting the local agriculture sector by handing over some PHP5 million worth of farm equipment to farmer associations.

Mayor John Dalipe led the turnover of 48 units of power tillers to 48 beneficiary farmers’ associations in front of city hall following a convocation activity.

Of the 48 beneficiaries, 24 are vegetable growers’ associations while the remaining 24 are corn farmers groups.

“There are eight identified associations in each agricultural district, of which four are vegetable growers, and four corn farmer associations,” city agriculturist Arben Magdugo said in an interview.

He said the distributed power tillers aim to assist vegetable and corn growers with their land preparation activities.

The recipient farmers’ associations will oversee the use of the power tillers. Rental fees collected from farmers who use them will form a fund that the association can use to maintain the equipment provided to them.

The power tillers were procured under the 2024 annual budget for agriculture.

Monday’s distribution of the power tillers was the third batch of farm equipment the city government has turned over to the local agriculture sector.

On Feb. 17, the city government distributed farm tractors worth PHP19.2 million to enhance agricultural productivity in 98 villages of the city’s six agrarian districts.

A week later, the city government again turned over two rice combine harvesters and 24 units of transplanters to farmers’ associations, which will oversee their use in the agricultural districts of the city. (PNA)