DA-10 Turns Over ₱7.38-M Worth of Farm Machinery to Three Manolo Fortich Farmers' Associations

The Department of Agriculture Region 10 turned over ₱7.38 million worth of farm machinery to three farmers' associations in Manolo Fortich, strengthening corn production and advancing agricultural modernization.

MANOLO FORTICH, BUKIDNON — Three farmers' associations in Manolo Fortich received a total of ₱7.38 million worth of farm machinery from the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) during a turnover ceremony held on July 20, 2026, at the New Government Center.

The assistance was provided under the Corn Program, which aims to modernize and industrialize agricultural value chains in an inclusive manner, enhance farm productivity, improve livelihoods, increase farmers' incomes, and help uplift rural communities from poverty.

Regional Executive Director Apollo Y. Pacamalan led the turnover ceremony together with Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño, Committee Chairperson on Farmers Coun. Elzevir A. Dagunlay, Municipal Administrator Engr. Joie Caesar M. Gaid, Municipal Agriculturist Gemma G. Cania and the farmer-beneficiaries.

Three Farmers' Associations Receive Farm Machinery
Under the program, the Mantibugao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers Association received one Corn Combine Harvester worth ₱2.48 million.

Meanwhile, the Kibakiten Abyawan Farmers Association and the Lunocan Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers Association each received one Hauling Truck valued at ₱2.45 million, bringing the total assistance to ₱7.38 million.

Boosting Corn Production Through Mechanization
Pacamalan said the assistance forms part of the Department of Agriculture's continuing efforts to strengthen corn production in Manolo Fortich, one of the province's major corn-producing clusters.

"Duha ni ka klase ang atong assistance para sa mga gatanum og high-value crops sama sa kalabasa ug ang pinakadaghan ani ang corn. Ang Manolo Fortich maoy usa sa mga cluster nga daghan og corn production, so atong gisabayan ni og mga makinarya sama sa corn harvester truck ug kaning combine harvester. I think kini muhatag kini og positibo nga impact sa tulo ka organization sa Manolo Fortich tungod kay timely ang pag-harvest," Pacamalan said.

He added that the department is looking forward to providing more assistance in the coming years, particularly with the planned establishment of a Corn Central in Manolo Fortich.

According to Pacamalan, the proposed facility will include a mechanical dryer, solar dryer, and corn silo system, enabling farmers to maintain grain quality, reduce post-harvest losses, and store their harvest until market prices become more favorable.

"So hopefully kini madugangan pa sunod tuig human unya nga mamontar nato dinhi ang corn silo system. So naa tay gahimoon diri nga gitawag ni Mayor og Corn Central nga ga-compose kana og mechanical dryer, solar dryer ug silo system aron panahon sa ting baligya, panahon sa ting harvest, masiguro nga gwapo ang quality sa mais ug at the same time, makahulat kini bisan dugay-dugay nga dili madaot aron makatagamtam sa presyo nga maayo para sa atong mga mag-uuma," he said.

Strengthening Partnership with Farmers
Pacamalan also thanked the farmer-beneficiaries for their continued partnership with the Department of Agriculture and the Local Government Unit of Manolo Fortich.

He encouraged farmers to regularly coordinate with the Municipal Agriculture Office to help the department identify their needs and plan future interventions.

"Para sa atong mga mag-uuma, gapasalamat kami sa inyong hugot nga pagsuporta sa Department of Agriculture ug sa Local Government. Kami nanghinaot nga kini sinugdanan lang sa malangkubon unya nato nga pagtambayayong. Nanghinaot kami nga unsa man ang kalihukan sa inyong uma, inyo sab kining i-report sa Municipal Agriculture aron usab kami sa Department of Agriculture makaplano mahitungod sa unsay isuporta niana," Pacamalan said.

The turnover of the farm machinery reflects the continuing collaboration between the Department of Agriculture and the Local Government of Manolo Fortich in promoting agricultural modernization, increasing farm productivity, and improving the economic well-being of Manoleño farmers.