Bago city: The Department of Agriculture – Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PhilMech) turned over PHP178.57 million worth of machinery and equipment to 24 farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs) and local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental on Tuesday. The assistance, sourced from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) 2024-2025 allocation, aims to enhance farm productivity, reduce production costs, and improve the overall competitiveness of rice farmers in the province.
According to Philippines News Agency, the turnover event held in Bago City saw Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson express gratitude to DA-PhilMech for its support to Negrense farmers through appropriate technology and equipment. Lacson emphasized the role of the machinery in boosting the capacity of farmers, enabling them to earn more profit from their efforts. He also acknowledged the farmers’ contribution to achieving the province’s rice production targets.
Bago City Mayor Marina Javellana-Yao highlighted the ongoing support from both the DA and provincial government, especially for the Bagonhon farmers. She noted that the program marks a significant milestone for farmers who are vital to the city’s agricultural output. Bago City is recognized as the top rice-producing LGU in the province, contributing around 30 percent to the total rice output of Negros Occidental.
The RCEF Mechanization Program provided the recipient FCAs and LGUs with 17 units of four-wheel drive tractors costing PHP39.952 million and 15 units of rice combine harvesters valued at PHP30 million. Additionally, the distribution included four units of village-type rice mills priced at PHP2.72 million, two units of precision seeders worth PHP3.46 million, and one drying system costing PHP102.44 million.
The mechanization and postharvest facility intervention aims to lower the production cost for farmers by PHP2 to PHP3 per kg and reduce post-production losses by 3 percent to 5 percent. This is achieved through the use of efficient post-production technologies. From 2019 to 2025, Negros Occidental has received a total of 1,053 units of rice machinery and equipment worth PHP719.908 million for 205 FCAs and 23 LGUs, as per DA-PhilMech data.