The Department of Agriculture (DA) Bicol Rice and Corn Program turned over a total of P78M worth of combine harvesters to eight (8) Farmers Cooperative and Associations (FCAs) from Camarines Sur on November 8, 2024 at DA Compound.

Dr. Mary Grace DP. Rodriguez, OIC Regional Technical Director for Operations (RTDO) led the turn-over ceremony with Marcial Bustarga, Agriculture Program Coordinating Officer (APCO) for Camarines Sur, Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) OIC-Chief Engr. Jerry Eboña and Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) Chairperson Bernadette Delos Santos.

The FCA beneficiaries were San Vicente Association of Corn Farmers (SAVACORN), Brgy. San Vicente, Ocampo, represented by its president-Purita Aala; Umasarig Agriculture Cooperative of Panicuason, Naga City represented by its president-Julian Lavadia; United Corn Growers of Pili, Cam. Sur represented by its president-Arturo Bismonte; Bato Farmers Federation of Cawagacan, Bato, represented by its president Pablo Cerelo; Sipocot Farmers and Fisherfolks Agriculture Cooperative based in Impig, Sipocot, represented by its president-Judith Mangalino; Maydaso Farmers Small Water Irrigation System Association Inc. of Catanusan, Minalabac, represented by its president Antonio Quicay Albis; Antipolo Minalabac Farmers Association Inc. from Antipolo, Minalabac, represented by its chairman-Gemma Rodriguez; Balid and Tagas Agri-Farmers Association of Tagas, San Jose, Cam. Sur represented by its president-Judith Sadia.

RAED OIC-Chief Engr. Jerry Eboña reminded the FCAs that although the combine harvester was provided for free, DA reserves the right to reclaim it if it is not properly maintained. Dr. Rodriguez also added that safekeeping is included in the maintenance of the machinery.

(Z.Abogado. Photos By: Z. Abogado, DA RAFIS)