The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently turned over P17 million worth of farm machineries to 13 agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations (ARBO) in Ilocos Sur.

DAR Regional Director Judita Tungol said these include 13 farm tractors and two units of combined harvesters.

“These farm implements will service more than 300 farmers here. These tractors would make farming easier and faster for them. It will also greatly improve their yield and increase their income,” Tungol said.

Tungol said the farm equipment were turned over to five ARBO in Ilocos Sur’s first district and eight in its second district.

Tungol said the farm machines were given as “equipment grant,” which will be operated by the farm organization as business assets where user fees would be collected and utilized for the operation and maintenance of the farm equipment.

“Through this scheme, the organizations will be empowered to make their organizations grow by engaging into agri-business enterprises,” Tungol said.