P9.4M worth of machinery and warehouse turned over to farmers’ cooperatives and associations in Paracelis, Mt. Province

Paracelis, Mt. Province – To uplift the livelihood of local farmers and strengthen the region’s agricultural sector, the Department of Agriculture – Cordillera (DA-CAR) has provided over ₱9.4 million worth of farm machinery and a corn warehouse to nine farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in Paracelis, Mountain Province.

According to a report from the DA-CAR, among the FCAs that received the assistance were the Talaktak Farmers Association, Inc. and the eBalangao Makilo Farmers Association, Inc., each of which received a four-wheel drive tractor worth ₱2,965,000.

The tractors are expected to improve land preparation, speed up planting, and reduce farm labor costs.

Other beneficiaries include the Assembly Farmers Association and the Tapaw Farmers Association, Inc., which were each provided with a corn sheller valued at ₱896,000.

The corn sheller—a machine that removes kernels from the cob—is designed to increase post-harvest efficiency by reducing shelling time and minimizing grain losses.

Meanwhile, four other groups—Pedro-Estong Farmers Agri-Farm, Inc., Gagginafang Unique Farmers Association, Inc., 4BSIG United Farmers Agricultural Association, Inc., and Butigue United Farmers Agricultural Association, Inc.—each received a Pump Irrigation System for Open Source (PISOS) worth ₱91,000.

The irrigation systems will help member farmers sustain their crops during dry months and expand irrigated areas for better yields.

Additionally, the Arumoy Kasaka Farmers Association, Inc. received a corn warehouse worth ₱2,247,120.67, which will help reduce post-harvest losses and provide secure storage for seeds and fertilizers, ensuring continuous planting cycles.

The turnover ceremony was held on October 24 in Paracelis. During the event, DA-CAR Regional Corn Coordinator Gerardo Banawa emphasized that these interventions are in line with the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) of 1991, which seeks to promote innovation and modernization in the country’s agricultural sector.

“The turnover of agricultural machinery and infrastructure facilities demonstrates the continued collaboration between DA-CAR, the local government, and FCAs toward achieving agricultural modernization, self-sufficiency, and food security in Paracelis, Mountain Province,” the DA-CAR stated.