IN PHOTOS | The Department of Agriculture-Central Visayas (DA7) through the Corn Program turned over two units of four-wheel tractors with a total amount of P 4.60-million intended for the two farmer associations in Bogo City and San Remigio, Cebu, held at the Bogo City Hall Gymnasium, today, April 11, 2024.

DA7 Regional Executive Director, Angel C. Enriquez, Regional Technical Director for Operations, Engr. Cirilo N. Namoc, and Regional Corn Program Focal Person Lavinia Corpus, handed the certificate of turnover to the City of Bogo Farmers Federation (CBFF) and to Kayam Farmers Association (KAFA) in San Remigio which were respectively received by Crescente Cortes and Ammie Parac, the president of their association.

The ceremonial turnover was witnessed by Bogo Mayor, Hon. Atty, Carlo Jose A. Martinez, and San Remigio Mayor, Hon. Atty. Alfonso C. Pestolante, together with their respective Sangguniang Bayan Chairperson for Agriculture Hon. Santiago M. Oliamot and Hon. Conrado A. Loon; Bogo City Agriculturist Ediosita T. Wagas; San Remigio Municipal Agriculturist Jane Arcillas, and representatives from the Bogo City Agriculture Office.

Director Enriquez, in her message to the farmers, that she had high hopes for the beneficiaries to properly take good care of the machines for it to last long and gradually increase the production of corn in the area, as well as provide income to the farmers.

“Ang among gusto nga makita ug manghinaot mi nga gamiton ninyo sa eksaktong pamaagi, kay usa mana sa sekreto nga ang traktura mulungtadog dugay. Tutukan namo ni nga basin mao kini ang game changer in terms of corn production and we can provide more intervention such as seeds and fertilizer,” she said.

(What we want to see and looking forward that you will properly use the machine, as this is a secret for the tractor to last longer. We will monitor you, that probably this machine will be the game changer in terms of corn production and we can provide more intervention such as seeds and fertilizer)

Also, she encouraged the farmers to adopt the diversification method of farming wherein they will not only focus on one commodity but will engage in integrated farming with livestock production and other high-value crops.

“While we are gradually converting from sugarcane to corn production, we could probably infuse with livestock para naa pud [so that] additional income ang mga farmers [for the farmers]. Makahatag rami ug [we can provide] goats, cattles, and chickens, pili lang mo [you just choose],” she added.

Moreover, both LGUs commended the farmer beneficiaries for their hard work and suggested to make use of the tractor as an income-generating resource for the association, thus, insinuating that agriculture is one of their top priority.