Farm mechanization to boost San Jose dB agri productivity

Agrricultural Technicians, OIC Municipal Agriculturist Florante Moscoso, Mayor Rony Molina with the leaders of the beneficiary farmers associations.

Two farmers' organization in the Municipality of San Jose de Buenavista received facilities for farm mechanization to boost rice production.

Pantao Farmers Association received a water pump and engine while Division A Irrigators Association received a rice drum seeder in a simple turn over ceremony in front of the town's hall.

These machines were issued as part of the Farm Mechanization Program (FMP) of the Department of Agriculture in partnership with the Municipal Agriculture Office.

Under the program, qualified farmers groups and cooperatives, and irrigators’ associations, and local government units receive equipment and machines under a fund counterparting agreement.

DA covers 85% of the cost of the farm machine while the recipient, for the case of San Jose is through the LGU, pays the remaining 15%. 

The program aims to increase the present farm mechanization level of the Philippines and facilitate the increase of agricultural productivity in the country.

San Jose dB turns over drying facilities to farmer groups

Mayor Rony L. Molina with Mr. Florante Moscoso, OIC of Municipal Agriculture Office turns over collapsible dryer to farmer associations.

The local government of San Jose de Buenavista turned over 30 units of collapsible dryers to five farmer associations of the Municipality in an simple turn over ceremony at the town's hall on September 24.

Beneficiaries of the post-production facility were Bugarot, Igbonglo, Supa, Tubudan, Odiong Irrigators Association (BISTO), Division A Irrigators Association, Lugutan-Igbonglo Farmers Association (LIFA) and Cansadan, Atabay, Maybato, Supa, Tubudan Irrigators Association (CAMAST)

The project aims to increase supply of good quality rice through reduce post-harvest losses especially in drying operation.


Report from the Municipal Agriculture Office says that lack of post-production facilities results to loss and wastage in rice production and the total losses of palay.

In the Philippines, an average of 5% of the total losses in rice production is attributed to lack of drying facilities.

Drying is the most important method in minimizing post-harvest losses. It directly affects storage, transportation, distribution and processing quality. 

The situation also affects income of farmers as traders usually rejects or buy at a low price the improperly dried palay.


The project is part of the Drying Program: Improving Drying Capabilities of Farmers Associations/ Organizations through provision of appropriate drying facilities of the Department of Agriculture and the local government of San Jose de Buenavista.

It is in line with the department's Post-harvest Roadmap for 2011-2016 which intends to increase the quality of produce and farmers' income through interventions intended to reduce post-harvest losses; provision of post-harvest and infrastructure requirements and encourage use of efficient post-harvest facilities including drying and other facilities extending the shelf-life of agricultural products.