Submitted by admin-r4b on
As part of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program, spearheaded by the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech), three Irrigators' Associations (IAs) in Occidental Mindoro were awarded brand new Combine Harvesters during a ceremony held on February 29, 2024, at the Sta. Cruz Municipal Hall.
The ceremony was graced by Sta. Cruz Municipal Mayor Hon. Ernesto Torreliza, Vice-Mayor Mark Galsim, Municipal Agriculturist Johnnie Ramos Jr., and PHilMech Science Research Analyst Engr. Kenneth Calderon.
The Irrigators' Associations that received the machinery are Amnay-Cabagan Irrigators' Association, Baclaran-Pinagturilan Irrigators' Association, and Kurtinganan-Sta. Cruz Irrigators' Association. This machinery will benefit 270 farmer-beneficiaries tilling 718 hectares, as this combine harvester requires less labor by combining harvesting, threshing, cleaning, and bagging in one operation, thereby ensuring lower postharvest losses compared to manual harvesting.
✍︎ IDO Vivian T. Dimzon