DAR to distribute 6,519 has. of lands, P 63.4-M support services to boost SOCCSKSARGEN’s agriculture sector
The agricultural sector in SOCCSKSARGEN region is expected to further improve as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) distributes 6,519 hectares of agricultural lands to 3,541 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and turns over P63.4-million worth of support services including two (2) farm-to-market roads, a bridge, 11 hauling trucks, and various equipment to ARB organizations (ARBOs), on April 13 and 14.
DAR Secretary Brother John Castriciones said the momentous event would boost the agricultural activities in the region and uplift the farmers’ economic lives, because giving these thousands of landless farmers a land of their own would inspire them to work harder to make it productive, thus would eventually, result in region-wide agricultural productivity.
“They will not be alone in improving their newly-acquired properties because the DAR will provide them with the necessary support services. As holistic approach in alleviating poverty in the countryside and ensuring the country’s food security, the department extends its services to post-land distribution,” Brother John said.
The agrarian reform chief explained that the DAR provides them with farm machinery, farm inputs, infrastructure projects, credit facilities, and training, among other things that would enable the farmers to sustain their farming needs.
The recipient-ARBs are from the provinces of South Cotabato, with 1,389 recipients; Sultan Kudarat, 1,313; Saranggani, 535; and Cotabato, 304.
The DAR would also distribute a total of P24.59-million worth of farm inputs, farm and office equipment, and 11 hauling trucks to various ARBOs and farmers’ cooperatives in the region. The recipient-ARBOs include Vineyard ARB Cooperative, Tinagacan ARB Cooperative, Domolok Tokawal Irrigators Association, Tolentino Communal Irrigators Association, Sapu Masla Taliawid Producers Cooperative, Tuguis Tambilil Irrigators Associatin Inc, Badtasana Farmers Irrigators Association, Kalamansig Para sa Kalikasan, Kapayapaan At Kaunlaran, New Calinog Women’s Association, SAMAKAN Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Sitio Lagon Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
The turn-over of infrastructure projects that would make transporting of agricultural goods faster and cheaper, would also take place in the two-day activities: The P20-million bridge in General Santos City and two (2) farm-to-market roads, with a combined cost of P18.8-million, in the province of Sultan Kudarat will be turned over and implemented through Tulay ng Pangulo Project and the Italian Agrarian Reform Community Development Support Program Project, respectively.
SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Director Marion Abella said that alongside the land distribution and turn-over of support services, several activities will be undertaken like the showcasing of crops produced by the various ARBOs in the region: the DAR-to-door land title distribution and the site visitation of Buhay sa Gulay Project, an urban farming initiative of the DAR, in the cities of Tacurong, General Santos, and Koronadal.