Ceremonial Turn-over of Start-up Capital, Farm Tractors, Implements, and Irrigation Facilities for GAA 2024 Block Farm

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) conducted a ceremonial turn-over of start-up capital, irrigation facilities, and farm tractors to 13 Block Farm beneficiaries in Negros Island of Sugar Industry Development Act (SIDA of 2015) GAA 2024 last Friday, October 4, 2024 at SRA compound, Bacolod City.

Each Block Farm association received P1.95 million as startup capital, irrigation facilities (rain gun, pump and engine and its complete accessories) and farm tractors. Furthermore, the beneficiaries will also receive farm implements, alongside with the briefing and orientation on operations of these equipment, Sugarcane Farm Management Seminar and/or technical expertise based on SRA recommended practices, including bookkeeping, accounting and farm recording, and other necessary assistance to ensure improved productivity and income among these group of small-holder farmer-beneficiaries.

The 13 Block Farm beneficiaries are the following: 1) Sitio Tres Eles Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association located at Brgy. Sag-ang, La Castellana; 2) Purok Katubuhan Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association with their address at Brgy. Mailum, Bago City; 3) Macarandan Upland Farmers Association situated at Sitio Macarandan, Brgy. Camindangan, Sipalay City; 4) Canlandog Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association of Purok Mainuswagon at Brgy. Canlandog, Murcia; 5) Violeta Integrated Farmers Association from Brgy. Kapitan Ramon, Silay City; 6) Hda. Sto. Niňo United Farm Workers Association of Brgy. Tortosa, Manapla; 7) Hda. Lilia II Agrarian Reform Cooperative located at Brgy. Cadiz Viejo, Cadiz City; 8) Amelita Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association from Hda. Amelita, Brgy. Daga, Cadiz City; 9) Sol Small Farmers Association situated at Purok Mahida-eton, Brgy. Magsaysay, Cadiz City; 10) Hda. Anita Agrarian Reform Cooperative from Brgy. Dian-ay, Escalante City; 11) Hda. Bongco Agrarian Reform Cooperative located at Hda. Bongco, Brgy. Jonob, Escalante City; 12) Telim and Malatas Agrarian Reform Cooperative from Brgy. Malatas, Calatrava; and 13) Banaba Napac-an Tabua Baisan Farmers Association located at Sitio Banaba, Brgy. Kalumboyan, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental.

SRA Administrator Hon. Pablo Luis Azcona noted during his speech on the said activity that Block Farm was very close to his heart as he personally acknowledged that as long as sugarcane farmers know how to handle the given resources and provisions well, surely it will succeed.

“Let us eradicate the mindset that sugarcane farming is only for the big planters or ‘hacienderos’ because I have a friend who started small by renting a 40-ha. piece of land, but now up to a thousand/s hectare, all through hardwork and dedication.” Hon. Azcona added.

Furthermore, Hon. Azcona acknowledged and reminded the huge role of farmers and as being recognized by the current President and the Administration as “Bagong Bayani” [“heroes of the new era.”]

In addition, Hon. Azcona further promised that as long as he serves the sugar industry, together with the Sugar Board Members David Andrew “BM Dave” L. Sanson, Board Member-Planter’s Representative and Ma. Mitzi “BM Mitzi” V. Mangwag, Board Member-Miller’s Representative, will ensure full utilization of the budget allocated for the small sugarcane farmers and as among the priority.

Atty. Ignacio S. Santillana, Deputy Administrator for Research Development and Extension noted on his message that based on experience and observation upon the implementation of Block Farming program, the common denominator for the success and failure of Block Farms is through efficient and effective management of both the resources and the organization by its own officers and members. Atty. Santillana also highlighted that despite all-out government support and provisions, however without due diligence of Block Farm’s members and officers on their roles and responsibilities, these programs will be in vain. Hence, the challenge should be set forth most especially among Block Farm beneficiaries.

Moreover, Mrs. Renilda Padilla of Hda. Amelita Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association, Brgy. Daga, Cadiz City, who was emotionally happy about the big blessings they received from SRA, expressed that with these interventions, their dream to be not just workers in the middle of fields under the extreme heat of the sun, will be absolutely achievable. She further detailed that her years of patiently waiting, her sacrifices and dedication truly paid off and is definitely beyond worthwhile.

SRA’s Board Member-Planter’s Representative David Andrew L. Sanson on his Closing Remarks encouraged Block Farms to perform their respective responsibilities for the success of the program. He emphasized that SRA personnel particularly those in the Mill District offices are in support and guidance all the way to ensure farmers’ needs related to sugarcane farming are and will be provided.

Block Farming program which is the 30% component of SIDA and started its implementation in 2016, continuously aims to increase production and income of small sugarcane farmers through the economies of scale of the sugarcane enterprise and professionalized farm management and mechanized farming as applicable. SIDA provides annual funding to support financial, logistical, technical, and production support services of the program.

Indeed, with enough government support and with the cordial cooperation of beneficiaries, like the Block Farming program, success will not just be a daydream.