Manila: The 152 farmers who are members of the Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organization (ARBO) in Posnaan, Aguinaldo, Ifugao, are expected to have better income from their land with the completion of the delivery of PHP300,000 worth of machinery.
According to Philippines News Agency, Alona Padilla, Agrarian Reform Program Officer II of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-Alfonso Lista field office, stated that the modern machines will cover more land in less time compared to manual labor, facilitating timely planting and harvesting, which results in increased yield and field capacity. Padilla emphasized that mechanization would enable the Posnaan ARBO to transition to a capital-efficient operation, leading to more yield, lower production costs, and higher productivity.
Funded under DAR's Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) Program, the agency completed the delivery of one crawler and one power tiller on August 5. The first tranche of machinery assistance, delivered on February 25, included two rotavators, ten knapsack sprayers, five brush cutters, and two water pumps, totaling PHP300,000 in assistance. This machinery was provided under the organization support package of DAR's Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP) programs.
Posnaan ARB Inc. is a newly established organization under the PAHP program aimed at improving productivity, strengthening livelihoods, and providing access to economic opportunities. The 152 members of Posnaan ARB Inc. cultivate corn and vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplant, okra, ampalaya, string beans, squash, cucumber, and pechay in commercial quantities across 103.20 hectares of land.
In a press release from the DAR Central Office, Posnaan ARB president Salina Ayongchi expressed gratitude for the assistance, stating it would help members collaborate and build a stronger organization. Ayongchi affirmed that the equipment would be utilized effectively to grow their enterprise.
Additionally, the organization signed a trust agreement during the machinery turnover, committing to maintain the equipment. Lunecia Segundo, DAR-Ifugao Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer, mentioned that the assistance would enable Posnaan to explore opportunities to market their produce and create souvenir items. Segundo highlighted that PAHP connects farmers' organizations and ARBOs with institutional buyers to strengthen food security, reduce hunger, and create sustainable market opportunities for local farmers.
This initiative aligns with the directive of DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III to bolster support services for agrarian reform beneficiaries, helping them transform agricultural resources and assistance into productive and sustainable income sources.
