The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has distributed farm machinery and equipment (FMEs) worth PHP8.2 million to 15 agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) in Bukidnon.

In a news release on Thursday, DAR said this aims to boost agricultural productivity and help improve the livelihoods of local farmers, part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s continuing support to farmers under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

“By equipping our ARBOs with modern machinery, we empower them to rise above challenges and thrive in a climate-vulnerable environment,” Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) Jammal Pangandaman said.

The equipment included stationary rice mills given to the Araneta Farmers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association in Valencia City and to the Dangcagan Farmers Irrigators Association in Dangcagan; and three-wheeled cargo-type vehicles received by the First Agrarian Reform Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Sumila, AGGIES Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Manolo Fortich, IMDALSA Agrarian Reform Cooperative in Malaybalay City, Labuagon Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Kibawe, Lumintao Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Quezon, and the Kauyonan Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Don Carlos.

On the other hand, the San Rafael Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers Association in Talakag, San Luis Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association Inc. in Malitbog, Cabanglasan Agrarian Reform Cooperative in Cabanglasan, Bantuanon ARB Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Lantapan, and the Kitingting Kipini SALT Farmers Organization in Damulog, received mobile corn shellers.

Meanwhile, a cassava granulator/chipper and furrower were given to Christ the King Christian Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Libona, while the QUARBA Farmers’ Cooperative in Impasug-ong received a farm tractor with implements.

“These FMEs are not just tools —they symbolize the government’s trust and commitment to the development of our ARBs and rural communities,” Pangandaman said.

The initiative was implemented through DAR’s Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project (CRFPSP) and the Sustainable and Resilient Agrarian Reform Communities Program (SuRe ARC). (PNA)