800 farmers' groups benefit from rice mechanization program

Over 800 farmers' organizations have so far benefited from the rice mechanization program, a Department of Agriculture official said Thursday.

 

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Edilberto De Luna said of 820 farm machines were distributed to 820 farmers' group and about 7,000 farmers have benefited from the program as of first week of December 2014.

 

Under the program, farmers' organizations may acquire farm machines with the government shouldering 85 percent of the cost.

 

De Luna said the machines include threshers, tractors, harvesters, brush cutters, hauling trucks, and power knapsack sprayers.

 

In a separate statement, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said the program has helped Philippines achieve the highest rice harvest in history at 18.4 million metric tons by the end of 2013.

 

The same statement noted the program aims to "reduce production cost, bolster farm efficiency as well as ensure timeliness of farm operations." – Kathryn Mae P. Tubadeza/VS, GMA News