The Department of Agriculture in Region 7 recently turned over six hand tractors, worth P1.19 million, to organized vegetable growers and producers associations in Negros Oriental, through their local government units.

 

The hand tractors were turned over by DA-7 regional technical director Joel Elumba, received by Gov. Roel Degamo, and witnessed by DA-Region 18 interim regulatory division chief Andrew Vendiola, provincial veterinarian Jaime Villaluz, and recipients farmers.

The recipient-LGUs are Valencia, Sibulan, San Jose, Amlan and Pamplona.

Provincial agriculturist Nestor Villaflores said the hand tractors were requested by the farmers in compliance to DA Secretary Manny Piñol’s directive to provincial, city and municipal agriculturists all over the country to let the farmers decide as to what implements and support they need, and not for the government to spoon-feed them with programs they don’t need.

This is being funded through the High Value Crops Development Program of the government, and is one of the mandates of the DA.

Degamo said the provincial leadership is working hard to make sure that food is available in every table and has strengthened coordination with the national government to achieve food sufficiency.

He rallied every employee in the provincial government to set aside politics so the dreams and aspirations of every Negrense can be realized in the near future, and he assured them that he will be transparent in all undertakings of the provincial government.*JG