In a ceremony at the Davao de Oro Farm in Barangay Pasian, Monkayo town on July 28, DA – Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHILMECH) turned over to Governor Dorothy Montejo Gonzaga, P7.9 million worth of agricultural facilities under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program.
These facilities include two mechanical grain dryers with biomass and petroleum-based heating systems and one precision rice seeder, which is a ride-on planting device designed to accurately deposit the appropriate seed quantity at precise depths and intervals, leading to a consistent distribution of plants.
Assistant Director Dr. Ofero Capariño of DA-PHilMech emphasized that these are augmentation to the array of agricultural equipment previously provided to the province between 2019 and 2022, totaling to around P189.8 million.
"Kung may hihingin kami, ito ay alagaan, pakaingatan, mahalin at siguraduhin ang mga libreng makinarya na inyung natanggap ay aabot sa susunod na henerasyon" Capariño said.
Also, the DA – Agricultural Training Institute XI (ATI) provided P875,000 for the Province-led Agriculture and Fishery Extension System (PAFES) Capability Development Support.
According to the report, the PAFES aims to strengthen the capabilities of the local government units in implementing crucial agricultural and fishery initiatives through the Collaborative Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Program (CPAFEP).
ATI’s International Training Center on Pig Husbandry (ATI-ITCPH) XI likewise led the groundbreaking and capsule laying ceremony for a P10 million Swine Multiplier and Technology Demonstration Farm Project at the said farm.
Through Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) Program, the swine farm project, which will be a breeder farm, will assist swine farmers’ cooperative associations (FCAs), private farms, and other beneficiaries by ensuring the direct supply of high genetic quality breeds of pigs while also restoring swine production and maintaining supply of swine and pork products locally.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, Davao de Oro produced an estimated Php 1.98 billion worth of hogs in 2018; however, it was challenged by the outbreak of the African Swine Fever (ASF) in 2020 that killed 3,557 pigs, and affected 37 barangays in the province.
The event was also highlighted with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the provincial government and DA to enhance collaboration for the province's fisherfolk and farmers.
Gov. Gonzaga expressed gratitude to DA for all the support it has given to the province, and assured the agriculture agency that they will fulfill its obligations, and handle the resources with utmost care.
"We appreciate so much nga napilian gyud ninyu ug nakit-an ninyuang among probinsya ug ang katawhan nga nanginahanglan gyud sa inyung panabang; amo gyud ning ampingan (We appreciate so much that you chose us and have seen that the province and its people need support; we will really take care of these)," the governor said. (mlu/PIA Davao de Oro/photos from PIO DDO)