FARMER-MEMBERS of an agrarian reform beneficiary organization (Arbo) in La Castellana town received P650,000 worth of farm productivity project from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
Dubbed as “Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Project,” it will benefit 78 members of the Minoro Isabel Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association Inc. (Miarba).
Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer II Lucrecia Taberna on Friday, June 30, said the initiative is a replication of the agency’s Integrated and Diversified Natural Farming Technology and Community-Managed Potable Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Project.
Taberna said that through the Partnership Development Program, the agency has funded the purchase of construction materials for the farm facilities such as greenhouse and plant nursery, fermentation building, drip irrigation system, biogas digester, iron removal filter, and water harvester tank.
The fund also covers the conduct of project-related trainings, she added.
The recipient-Arbo, meanwhile, provided 2,000 square meters of land to be used as project site located at Sitio Minoro in the said barangay.
“The project aims to enhance the productivity and income of farmer-beneficiaries through livelihood projects in agrarian reform communities which will be managed and sustained by the community,” Taberna said, adding that the project uses “organic technology” in equipping the community to become climate-resilient.
Mario Patricio, chairman of Miarba, said the farm productivity project will help not only their members, but also the whole community.
“Aside from its positive environment effects, the project is vital in attaining food security and increasing our productivity,” Patricio added.
The turnover ceremony was attended by DAR-Negros Occidental II personnel, municipal and barangay officials, and members of the recipient-organization. (EPN)