Around P270.6 million worth of assistance was distributed to 44 farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in Nueva Ecija on 10 December.

According to the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA–PHilMech), the assistance forms part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s thrust to improve the lives of farmers in Central Luzon.

The DA–PHilMech, alongside the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office in Central Luzon (DA–RFO 3), provided the support in various forms to farmer-beneficiaries in the 3rd District of Nueva Ecija.

The 44 FCAs primarily received farm equipment and hybrid rice seeds, timed for the 2025–2026 dry cropping season.

Topping the list of interventions were 33 farm tractors valued at P78.99 million, funded under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund–Mechanization Program 2.0.

Also distributed were three mechanical planters worth P1.35 million, five farm tractors totaling P8 million, one combine harvester priced at P1.8 million, and two hand tractors worth P360,000. These were funded under the DA Rice and Corn Programs, bringing the total value of machinery assistance to P90.50 million.

In addition, DA–RFO 3 provided 22,103 bags of hybrid rice seeds valued at P110.51 million, 22,103 bags of fertilizer amounting to P17.41 million, 44,206 liters of liquid foliar inputs worth P34.83 million, and 22.10 kilograms of powder foliar inputs valued at P17.42 million. These inputs totaled P180.18 million.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. and House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” De Guzman Dy III led the distribution of certificates of award to farmer-beneficiaries.