355 Davao de Oro farmers grateful to DAR for Php1M farm inputs
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has yet again brought smiles to the Davao de Oro farmers after recently distributing farm productivity inputs worth more than Php1M to some 355 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in the municipalities of Mawab, Monkayo and Nabunturan.
This activity still forms part of component 2 of The PaSSOver: ARBold Move for Deliverance of ARBs from the COVID 19 Pandemic program of the Department, under the leadership of Secretary John R. Castriciones.
PARPO II Melchor B. Jamora said that ARBold Move is DAR’s response to Republic Act No. 11469, otherwise known as the “Bayanihan to Heal As One Act”. He further stressed that this particular component is provided by the DAR to help the government in pursuit of its "food sufficiency program" and in recognizing that food security lies in the hands of our farmers.
Ruth Añasco, a 57-year old beneficiary and member of Nueva Visayas Agrarian Reform Cooperative (NUVIARCO) in the Municipality of Mawab, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the DAR for the farm inputs extended to them during these difficult times of the pandemic. “Daghan kaayong salamat sa gihatag na pabor sa DAR sa mga ARB diri sa Nueva Visayas. Dako kayo nig ikatabang sa amoa” (We are very grateful for this favor given to us ARBs here in Nueva Visayas by the DAR. This will help us a lot), she quipped.
Ricop Monkayo Farmworkers Agrarian Reform Cooperative (RIMFARCO) ARBs together with DAR Davao de Oro officials posed with their farm inputs
Larry Dailo, Chairperson of Ricop Monkayo Farmworkers Agrarian Reform Cooperative (RIMFARCO) from Monkayo also said: "We are thankful to the DAR for always being there for us – from dialogues to trainings, and now for giving us these farm inputs”. Dailo assured the DAR that they will definitely allot a portion of their farm area to plant the said vegetable seeds.
OIC PARPO I Ellordo C. Gualberto said that the ARBold Move is DAR’s form of assistance and encouragement to ARBs not to lose hope in the midst of this difficulty brought about by the COVID 19 pandemic.
Also in attendance during one of the distribution programs was Provincial Board Member Adolfo C. Ang, Chairman of the Committee on Cooperatives. He commended the DAR and said that these farm inputs are valuable since it can be a lifetime source of food – as long as the farmers take care of it. Board Member Ang also told RIMFARCO farmers not to fret about the future market of their vegetables as he is willing to buy them all.
CARPO for PBD Nancy S. Ramos said that aside from the 10-in-1 assorted vegetable seedlings, pesticides, as well as complete and organic fertilizers, each farmer beneficiary will also receive a shovel and a rake. These items will all form part of the starter kit for crop production.
To date, DAR-Davao de Oro was able to distribute about Php2M worth of 961 farm input packages throughout the province.
