Farm machineries and facilities to boost agriculture blessed

The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) is gradually achieving in the quest to modernize agriculture in
the province.

Last Thursday, Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado led the ribbon cutting and the blessings of some farm machinery and farm facilities at Bohol Organic Agriculture Technology (BOATech) Center in Gabi, Ubay, Bohol.

The farm machinery and facilities which are worth P68,900,000 are as follows: Combine Corn Harvester-4
rows (picker, sheller, and stalk chopper) with trailers; Brand New Movable Trailer-Mounted mechanical dryer 4 to5 tons capacity; Portable Feed Mill; Corn Flour Mill (25 tons corn/day);120 HP Tractor with Complete Accessories (disc plow, furrow ridge, harrow); 95 HP Tractor with Complete Accessories (disc plow and harrow); Cassava Chipper and Cassava Uprooter; and Cassava Dryer (6-8 tons) options diesel-electric-rice hull or corn cobs fuel.

Gov.  Aumentado has cited the importance of farm equipment to boost the agricultural products in Bohol.
Acting Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas said that the objectives to purchase of the machinery above are to increase the production of quality corn and cassava for human consumption, feeds and industrial uses; to empower the farmers and increase their income, thereby improving the quality of life; to facilitate the production of local feeds for livestock and aqua intended for backyard raisers; to reduce the production cost of livestock and fishery products; to showcase the complete value chain for corn and cassava; to enhance farm efficiency compared to manual labor; and to have access to modern agricultural equipment for the farmers thereby reducing production cost for corn and cassava.

Dr. Pamugas bared that the direct beneficiaries are the Boholano corn/cassava farmers who will be given
production support through the provision of affordable and efficient machine services during the land preparation, harvesting, and other postharvest activities.

Pamugas emphasized that the distribution of the machines will be focused on the four clustered areas of corn and cassava in the province such as; Cluster 1 (Dimiao, Valencia), Cluster 2 (Carmen, Sagbayan, and Sierra- Bullones), Cluster 3 (Dagohoy, Danao, San Miguel, and Trinidad), and Cluster 4 (Anda, Alicia and Ubay). Each cluster will have a machine shade based on the approved proposal from the Development Bank of the Philippines. He said that the equipment will be stationed in strategically clustered areas for easy access to the beneficiaries. It will also serve as the workshop and focal ground of the team and operators managing the machine.

The rental and payment mechanism for the use of the machinery will be based on the approved ordinance of the provincial government.

The province of Bohol has more than 20,786 corn farmers and the existing areas utilized for corn production are at 6, 243 hectares (has.) but it can be expanded to 20, 000 has. If appropriate support will be provided. (Atoy Cosap)

Gov.Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado leads the blessings of the farm machineries and facilities at Bohol Organic Agriculture Technology (BOATech) Center in Gabi, Ubay last Thursday. He is assisted by Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte and his mother Former First Lady in the Province of Bohol Mrs. Greeny C.Aumentado. Photo by Alfredo Amora Jr.