Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Philippine Center for Postharvest
Development and Mechanization
CLSU Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

NEWS STORIES

RCEF Mechanization Program empowers 42 Cagayan FCAs
by Vanessa D. Pallar (November 5, 2024)
"Ang maunlad na bansa ay maunlad din ang magsasaka (A developed country also has a successful farmer)," a notable remarks from President Edward C. Olivas of Matucay Farmers Association during Turnover of Agricultural Machinery on November 5, 2024, in DA-Southern Cagayan Research Center, Minanga Norte, Iguig in Cagayan.

Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program continued its commitment to empower farmers cooperative and associations (FCAs) with 42 FCAs as 2024 qualified beneficiaries received agricultural machinery from land preparation to milling.

These farm machinery include 25 four-wheel drive tractors with implements (rotavator, PTO-driven disc plow, and levee maker), 2 hand tractors, 1 precision rice seeder, 3 walk-behind transplanters, 1 riding-type transplanter, 15 rice combine harvesters, 1 recirculating dryer with 6 tons capacity, 3 recirculating dryers with 12 tons capacity, 3 single-pass rice mills, and 1 multi-stage rice mill (2-3 tons per hour).

General manager Delma R. Carbonel of Claveria Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative shared the advantage of agricultural mechanization, "Good earning [dahil ang] production cost natin (FCAs) ay bumababa kaya tumataas ang [ating kita] (Good earning because it reduces the production cost; thus, increasing our income)."

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank RCEF for choosing us [as] one of [its] beneficiaries," as she expressed her gratitude towards the RCEF Program.

The RCEF Program (phase one) paves the way to RCEF 2.0 or the phase two. In the submitted proposal, the program will cover all rice-producing areas in the Philippines.

Engr. May Ville B. Castro, chief of the Facility Management and Field Operations Division (FMFOD) emphasized the FCAs' role as PHilMech partners, "Ang ating kooperatiba [at] asosasyon [ay] hindi lang basta beneficiaries, kayo ay partner ng PHilMech. Sapagkat, ang inyong organization ay channel para matulungan ang bawat isa (Our cooperative and association are not only beneficiaries; but as partners of PHilMech, because your organization serves as channel to help each other)."

The program ended with the awarding of certificates to the beneficiaries.