The Department of Agriculture (DA) High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) and the DA Central Luzon Regional Field Office (RFO 3) awarded P2-million worth of multi-cultivators and power sprayers to 40 farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in Arayat, Pampanga on August 11, 2022.

HVCDP National Program Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban, Regional Technical Director Arthur Dayrit, and representatives of the local government unit (LGU) led the turnover ceremony as part of the RFO’s HVCDP Mechanization Program.

The program aims at helping the FCAs improve their productivity with the provision of appropriate and efficient mechanization technologies.

Director Panganiban thanked the farmers for their important contribution in ensuring the country’s food security. He also assured them that the government, led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., will continue to support the needs of the agriculture and fisheries sector.

Director Dayrit, on the other hand, encouraged the recipients to take good care of their new equipment and share them with the farmers in their respective communities.

During the event, the chairpersons of the FCA beneficiaries signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the machinery’s proper operation and maintenance.

They committed to properly use and maintain the equipment and share them with farmer-members and/or non-members.

The technicians from Harbest Agribusiness Corp. also provided a training on operation and maintenance for the equipment recipients.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa biyayang natanggap namin na cultivator. Malaking tulong po ito sa mga members namin na nagtatanim ng gulay,” Gilas Bitas Farmers Association Chairperson Manuel Paras said on behalf of the association members. ### (Gumamela Celes Bejarin, DA-AFID)