Department of Agriculture (DA)-MIMAROPA gave tractor to Yaw Yawi II Farmers Association in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro and five (5) sets of pump and engine to Samahang Magsasaka ng Apitong,Sta.Maria; Evangelista Farmers Association;Vegetable Association of Santiago;Samahang Magbubukid ng Puting Tubig and Kalinisan Naujan Farmers Association in Oriental Mindoro, last week.
The machineries were promised by the DA Chief, Secretary Emmanuel Pinol when he personally met them during his Biyaheng Bukid in the said provinces in July 2016.
Through the regional agri-department's Corn and Cassava Program, the promises were made possible and were delivered to them immediately.
The awarding of the machines was led by the Corn and Cassava Program Coordinator, Engr. Ma. Chirstine Inting with the Agricultural Program Coordinating Officers (APCO) Gerardo Laredo of Occidental Mindoro and Engr. Coleta Quindong of Oriental Mindoro representing the Secretary and Atty. Cipriano Santiago, Regional Executive Director.
The recipients were grateful that the promises of the Secretary were fulfilled and were given to them immediately.
According to Wilfredo Carbonel, Chairman of the Yaw Yawi II farmers, the tractor could help them to till more than 100has. Prior to the tractor, they were also given shallow-tube wells in July 2016.
“Nagpapasalamat ako kasi matagal na naming itong minimithi…Nagpapasalamat kami sa Secretary dahil sa pagbisita niya, nakita niya ang paghihirap namin,” he expressed.
While the other five farmers groups met the Secretary during his visit in Oriental Mindoro when they gave away seeds at Agri-Trends Integrated Services Corporation (ATISCO) in Calapan City.
The recipients shared their burdens when they met the Secretary. According to them, they have been having difficulty to acquire water for their fields because their areas are far from the main source of irrigation and the type soil is sandy loam that needs ample amount of water.
“Kahit papaano po makakatulong na ito (pump and engine) sa almost 3-5 has. na lupain,” said by Hannah dela Luna,President of Kalinisan Naujan Farmers Association.
“Napakadali pong pagpapalabas ng proyektong ito. Naaksiyonan agad mula noong Hulyo,” expressed by Nestor Cantos, representative of Samahang Magbubukid ng Puting Tubig.
