Daily TribuneTo help boost the Philippine sugarcane industry, Japan is providing 80 farm tractors and 48 mechanical planters for sugarcane farmers all over the Philippines under its P314-million Non-Project Grant Aid program
Japan turns over agri machinery for Bacolod sugarcane farmers
On 18 November 2023, the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines joined the inauguration ceremony for new machinery for sugarcane farmers donated by Japan, held in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.
First Secretary and Agriculture Attaché Tachikawa Jumpei joined the ceremony, together with Agriculture Secretary Francisco T. Laurel Jr., Sugar Regulatory Administrator Pablo Luis S. Azcona, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose V. Lacson, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo B. Benitez, Sugar Regulatory Administration Board Member-Planter's Representative David Andrew Sanson and other local government officials and farmer beneficiaries.
Negros Occidental, the Philippines' foremost sugar-producing province, contributes almost half of the country's total sugar production. However, with the increasing demand for sugar locally and internationally, there is a crucial need to augment productivity and efficiency while supporting sugarcane farmers in improving their income.
To address this, the Philippine government has implemented a farm mechanization program, supplying the necessary agricultural machinery and equipment for efficient planting, cultivation, care and harvesting of sugarcane.
The government of Japan has consistently shown support for the Philippine agriculture sector. To help boost the sugarcane industry, Japan is providing 80 farm tractors and 48 mechanical planters for sugarcane farmers all over the Philippines, including Negros Occidental, through the P314-million Non-Project Grant Aid, one of Japan's ODA (official development assistance) schemes.
In his speech, Tachikawa recognized the significant role of the sugarcane industry in the country's economic and social development. He expressed Japan's steadfast commitment to assisting the Philippines in creating better solutions for the agriculture sector.
