By By Mike U. Crismundo
BUTUAN CITY – Despite the fear and uncertainty the people is currently facing, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Agusan del Sur continues to provide aid to farmer-beneficiaries.
DAR Agusan del Sur has come up with a marketing tie-up strategy to ensure that farmers will not experience the dramatic consequences due to the efforts in stemming the blast of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
With the proper guidance of the office of DAR Agusan del Sur, the Lumad sa Adgawan Multi-Purpose Farmers Cooperative (LAMPUFACO) was able to supply 1,400 sacks of milled rice as well as dry goods to the local government unit of La Paz for their second round of relief operations, which earned them a total of P5.1 million.
Around 552 members who were mostly Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) benefitted from this milled rice production.
“Salamat ug dako sa DAR sa makanunayong pagtabang kanamo nga mga mag-uuma nga bisan pa sa kalisod karong panahona naka income gihapon me pinaagi sa inyong pagpakigsabot sa LGU aron kami mauy magsupply sa relief goods (Thank you so much to DAR for the usual support for farmers like us, despite the challenges nowadays, we are still earning through your collaboration with LGU).” said LAMPUFACO Manager Lorena Durango.
Agusan del Sur Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II (PARPO II) Jamil P. Amatonding, Jr. told The Manila Bulletin on Monday that the marketing strategy is thoroughly followed and implemented by the LAMPUFACO.
“This marketing strategy was initiated because we are committed to helping the farmers who were excessively at risk of food security themselves,” the PARPO ll official said.
“This is a big help to them in this time of health crisis,” PARPO II Amatonding, Jr. added.
Following the call of President Rodrigo Duterte to “Heal as One” in this time of crisis and with the directive of DAR Secretary John R. Castriciones, Agusan del Sur DAR provincial office made this strategy to help the agrarian reform farmers in the delivery of their farm products, also said DAR 13 Regional Director Leomides R. Villareal.
Meanwhile, as part of the ARBOs’ commitment to the LGU, they are currently consolidating palay from its members for additional 2,000 sacks of well-milled rice for delivery to the market.
For more information, visit the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
