An association of vegetable farmers in Antique is set to receive a unit of multi-cultivator tractor worth PHP265,000 from the Department of Agriculture in Western Visayas.

Agricultural Program Coordinating Office-Antique head Sonie Guanco said the multi-cultivator tractor is set for turnover to the Tobias Fornier Vegetable Growers Association (TFVGA) in the municipality of Tobias Fornier on May 20.

“Tobias Fornier is one of the municipalities in Antique that is noted for producing high-value crops (HVC),” Guanco said.

The association produces eggplant, string beans, squash and ampalaya, among others, which they cultivate in around 25,000 hectares of farmland.

“The multi-cultivator tractor will hasten the land preparation, minimize the weeds growing on their vegetable plots, and reduce their labor cost,” Guanco said.

Without the multi-cultivator tractor, the TFVGA still employs the traditional method of land preparation using a carabao and plow, which usually takes time and is costly.

“As for the maintenance and scheduling of the multi-cultivator tractor, the TFVGA members will then have their internal agreement about it,” Guanco said.

They also need to discuss the maintenance of the equipment and how a member could avail themselves. (PNA)