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

NEWS STORIES

Ifugao gets P5M agricultural tramline
by Tramline Team (July 30, 2010)
Rice farmers in Hungduan, Ifugao will now benefit from the three agricultural tramline systems worth P5 million turned-over by PHilMech to the local government unit on June 28, 2010.

The bi-cable tramlines situated in barangays Bokiawan, Nungulunan and Hapao-Baang will service at least 180 farmers tilling 210 hectares of agricultural land.

Positioned mostly in vegetable producing areas like Benguet, the agricultural tramline in Hungduan, Ifugao is the first agricultural tramline established in the country intended for rice production.

Outgoing Hungduan Mayor Pablo M. Cuyahon stressed that aside from minimizing drudgery in hauling agricultural products, reducing the hauling cost and a faster transport facility, the tramline system can also be used to transport rocks to repair the weathered stone-walled rice terraces situated in hard-to-reach mountain slopes with only foot-trails leading to the site.

`The agricultural tramline system can also be used in the restoration and preservation of the rice terraces stone walls,` Cuhayon said during the turn-over ceremony.

The municipality of Hungduan is famous for its majestic stone-walled rice terraces built by their ancestors producing the high value `tina-on` or native rice that is being exported to the U.S. and other countries.

With over century old rice terraces, rehabilitation is needed to preserve this national treasure that gives livelihood to the farmers and draws foreign tourists to flock to this secluded alluring town.

`We are very thankful for the construction of tramline in our area. Naniniwala kami na malaki ang maitutulong nito sa aming pagsasaka at sa pagpapanatili ng kaayusan ng rice terraces dito sa Hungduan,` (We believed that these tramlines are a big help in our farming, and at the same time it will help us preserve the Hungduan rice terraces), said Bokiawan Brgy. Captain Joseph Bayugao.

The tramline units were established in coordination with Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-RFU CAR), LGU of Hungduan and farmer-beneficiaries. The project was funded under the National Tramline Program of the Department of Agriculture's High Value Commercial Crops (HVCC) spearheaded by the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) nationwide.

The ceremony was attended by the local government officials and representatives from PHilMech.