Alcala Turns Over Farm 

Machineries/Implements Worth P75.3M 

by James Earl E. Ogatis

Part of the 25 units 4-wheel drive tractor with implements to be turned-over by Secretary Proceso J. Alcala on January 30, 2015, at Western Visayas Integrated Agricultral Research Center, (WESVIARC), Jaro, Iloilo City. (James Earl E. Ogatis photo)

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala will lead the turn-over of P75,298,024.50 worth of farm machineries and implements to various farmers organization and local government units on January 30, 2015, at Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (WESVIARC), Jaro, Iloilo City.

According to DA 6 Regional Executive Director Larry P. Nacionales, among the farm machineries to be turned over are 25 units Heavy duty 4-wheel drive tractor with implements worth P52,450,000.00; four units rice combine harvester – P6,624,000.00; six units Mini 4-wheel drive tractor with implements – P5,369,328.00 and 50 units pump and engine – P3,090,000.00.

Also seven units of hand tractor with tiller cultivator – P1,476,076.00; eight units of thresher – P1,440,000.00; eight units of reaper – P1,200,000.00; four units of hammer mill – P1,000,000.00; five units of corn sheller – P600,000.00; three units cassava granulator – P600,000.00; three units cassava grater – P450,000.00; and two units shredder machine – P300,000.00.

Nacionales also said that 33 baby tanks and ten mother tanks for artificial insemination worth P698,620.50 will also be given by Secretary Alcala to the livestock sector.

Nacionales stressed that the farm machineries and implements will address farm labor scarcity problem and postharvest losses. This will also enhance production and increase yield among rice and corn farmers in the region.

The release of 50 units pump and engine to identified rice farmers organization is timely for use by our farmers this dry season. He added.

Alcala will also turn over and inaugurate rice processing complex at barangay Monpon, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo and Barotac Nuevo Slaughterhouse to the Barotac Nuevo Development Cooperative and local government unit respectively and the Regional Soils Organic Laboratory at WESVIARC. /MP