CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – A total of 87 farmer associations in Pampanga recently benefitted from the Php16.6-million worth of farm equipment and implements given by the provincial government.
Among those given by the Capitol as part of their aim to mechanize farmers include 49 shallow tube wells, 12 hand tractors with trailers and implements, 7 mini four-wheel drive tractors, 6 rice reapers, 6 rice threshers, 4 pump irrigation system with open surfaces, 4 rice transplanters, and 1 combine harvester.
Sangguniang Panlalawigan Agriculture Committee chair Jun Canlas said the aid primarily aims to increase the income of the farmers by giving support in sustaining and boosting their harvest.
“I hope we work together in all the programs of the local and national government concerning the agricultural sector. As you can see, all the equipment here have specific purpose that will be used for your irrigation and we will also work on your irrigation facilities. On our end, we will work for the welfare of the farmers,” Canlas added.
Meanwhile, Vice Governor Dennis Pineda explained that the equipment are intended for the use of the whole association and not for personal use by any farmer.
“These are for the associations. We chose you as the recipients and no fees are imposed on you. That’s why we remove your counterpart to guarantee it will benefit your association. Probably, your counterpart is to take good care of the equipment, secure and maintain them,” he stressed.
For his part, Provincial Agriculturist Eddie Salenga reminded the farmers to value and cherish the equipment granted to them by the provincial government.
Among the farmer-beneficiaries include the United Farmer Association of Brgy. San Jose Matulid in Mexico town who received the combine harvester worth Php1.7 million./CLJD/MJLS-PIA 3