DA-PhilMech grants 4WD tractors to Iloilo farmers’ groups

The Department of Agriculture (DA) Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) distributed four units of four-wheel drive tractors worth P9.2 million to four farmer group beneficiaries of Iloilo Province during the Innovate Visayas Roadshow on July 24 at Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center, Jaro, Iloilo City.

The interventions provided under the DA’s Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program 2024 funds aim to improve rice production efficiency and competitiveness. The project’s recipients were the Municipal Government of Leon, the Tubungan Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Lambunao, the Agtubabo Irrigators’ Association, Inc. of Barotac Nuevo, and the Santo Semeba Irrigators’ Association of Anilao, Iloilo.

PhilMech is granting four-wheel-drive tractors to eligible farmers’ cooperatives and associations. These tractors are designed to improve land preparation efficiency, reduce labor costs, and increase productivity, enabling competitiveness in the region’s rice industry.

PHilMech Director IV Dionisio G. Alvindia, Ph.D., Director III Joel V. Dator, and Chief of Facility Management and Field Operations Division (FMFOD) Engr. May Ville B. Castro,  FMFOD Assistant Chief Engr. Domingo R. Miranda led the distribution alongside Regional Executive Director Dennis Arpia of DA Western Visayas.  

The RCEF Mechanization Program has provided significant machinery support to Ilonggo farmers from 2019 to 2024. In Iloilo, 1,140 rice machinery and equipment units, valued at P932.23  million have been distributed to 215 FCAs and Local Government Units. This includes four-wheel tractors, hand tractors, floating tillers, rice combine harvesters, and other essential rice farming equipment.###Texts by SMHToreno/Photos by KDCaldina/DA-RAFIS 6