320K WORTH OF FARM MACHINERIES AND EQUIP. TURNED OVER TO AGRARIAN REFORM BENEFICIARIES ORG. TAFARMCO

December 9, 2023 Agriculture Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY

The Department of Agrarian Reform – Cordillera Administrative Region (DARCAR) and DAR-Benguet, in partnership with the Baguio City Government through the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO) have turned over Farm Machineries and Equipment (FME) valued at
Php 320,000 to Agrarian Reform agricultural technology, and put value-added on farm products,
the province’ agricultural industry remains to be threatened.

In fact, rampant smuggling has affected the province vegetable industry and the lack of post-harvest facility contributed to the problem. However, agriculture , wholesale and retail trading, and financial-insurance activities are the top three contributors to Benguet’s economy in 2022, Philippine Statistics Authority-Cordillera (PSA-CAR) said.

Imelda Buyuccan,chief statiscal specialist of the Philippine Statistics Authority Mayors warns on page 9 Beneficiaries Organization (ARBO) Taloy Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative (TAFARMCO) at the Baguio City Hall on December 4, 2023. TAFARMCO received 5 Hand tractors and 1 unit of an agricultural shredder. TAFARMCO CEO Angel P. Garcia Jr. expressed his appreciation to DAR for the assistance and support that was provided to them through the years.

Through this turnover, they will also be assisting their partner farmers’ association situated in the city namely: Barangay Happy Hallow Farmers Organization (Happy Hallow, Baguio City), Buat
Balite Farmers Association (Pinsao Proper, Baguio City), Granjeros de Oeste (Irisan, Baguio City), and Ditep Farmers Association (Loakan, Liwanag) through the provision of one hand tractor each to boost their production. Their produce and products will be marketed by TAFARMCO.

Furthermore, the initiative includes training on Climate Change mitigation and adaptation, as well as capacitybuilding seminars on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Organic Agriculture, and proper disposal of fertilizers and pesticides. Resource persons are technical staff from DAR,
Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Training Institute, CVAO, and Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority. CVAO Dr. Silardo Bested expressed gratitude to DAR for providing much-needed FMEs
to support Baguio farmers. He highlighted that despite Baguio’s size, the local farmers still rely on these resources for their agricultural activities.