A total of 115 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Bohol are expected to enhance their farming efficiency and agricultural productivity through brand-new tractors distributed by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

In a news release on Wednesday, DAR said the initiative, which is part of the Major Crop Block Farming Program, aims to provide modern agricultural equipment to improve the yields and livelihoods of ARBs.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) Ronald Pumatong recently conducted a thorough inspection of the equipment, together with Barangay Agrarian Reform Council chairperson Lumirane Calamba, to ensure that the tractors meet the required standards, ensuring their quality and reliability.

“These tractors are vital for increasing agricultural productivity. By ensuring their quality, we maximize their benefits for our ARBs,” Pumatong said.

Two farmer organizations in Bohol, the Mahayag Alicia Farmer’s Association Incorporated (MAFAI) in Alicia with 70 member ARBs, and the San Miguel-Babag Dagohoy Farmers Incorporated (SABADAFA) in Dagohoy with 45 member ARBs, received the tractors.

The farm machinery costs PHP1.447 million each, amounting to a total investment of PHP2.894 million.

DAR said the tractors were designed to meet different farming needs, with the SABADAFA tractor suited for upland farming and rice cultivation, while the MAFAI tractor supports upland, corn, and rice farming.

Calamba, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of delivering reliable farm machinery and equipment (FME) to farmers, stressing that by providing quality tools, the ARBs enhance their efficiency and livelihood, which then strengthens the country’s agricultural sector.

With this initiative, DAR continues to empower ARBs by providing modern farming equipment, ensuring they have the tools needed to boost productivity and improve their livelihoods, in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen the livelihood activities of agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations (ARBOs) nationwide. (PNA)