Almost PHP79 million worth of agricultural machinery were distributed to farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in Albay.

In a report Friday, Albay’s Provincial Information Office said the distribution includes four-wheel tractors and rice combine harvesters granted to 22 farmers groups from the Bicol Region’s six provinces.

Jhon Mark Licot, Senior Science Research Specialist and Luzon Cluster Head of the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PhilMech), said the modern equipment would help farmers improve efficiency in land preparation, drying, and milling.

“Beneficiaries of the program receive different kinds of machinery – from land preparation to harvest, up to processing, drying, and milling,” Licot said.

DA-PhilMech has distributed PHP462 million worth of machinery to 152 farmers groups in Albay under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Mechanization program from 2019 to 2024. (PNA)