The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) continues to assist different agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) in Bicol to enhance crop productivity, reduce production costs, and improve incomes.

In an interview on Tuesday, Niriza Barquilla, DAR-Bicol assistant information officer, said two ARBOs in the provinces of Sorsogon and Camarines Sur recently received farm machinery and were selected by DAR as recipients of its Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project (CRFPS) and Major Crop-Based Block Farm Productivity Enhancement Project for 2024.

Barquilla said these ARBOs were the Carriedo Agrarian Reform Cooperative (CARCO) of Irosin Sorsogon which received PHP1.5 million worth of 4WD tractor, and the Burabod Farmers Agrarian Reform Organization (BFARO) of Calabanga, Camarines Sur which got PHP1.85 million worth of 40 HP 4WD tractor with disc harrow and trailer.

“They are the recipients of government intervention last March 21. We are already preparing the assistance that will be given to other ARBOs for April,” she said.

Barquilla said with the given assistance, DAR expects a higher yield of production and income from the two ARBOs that will help their livelihoods.

She added that in May and June, CARCO members will participate in a series of development training and practical training programs that will allow them to become acquainted with a dynamic key checks rice crop management system.

In a statement, Adelia Cortez, one of the recipients and a representative from CARCO, conveyed her heartfelt gratitude on behalf of all the cooperative members.

“Harvesting palay will be made easier because of these facilities. This is a great help not only for us but for our families that rely on rice production as our source of living. Thank you very much,” Cortez said in their dialect.

BFARO vice president Cynthia Malanyaon, who received the tractor on behalf of the organization, expressed gratitude for the project which she called a “milestone” for their operations as a business-oriented group that will benefit every ARB and farmer in Calabanga.

Barquilla said the new farm equipment and extensive capacity building enable the two ARBOs to engage in sustainable and productive farming practices. (PNA)