SRA Utilizes Japan Donated 800 million Yen worth of Farm Equipment, Implements to PH Sugarcane Industry
FROM THE ARCHIVES || BACOLOD CITY / QUEZON BUKIDNON – On November 18, 2023, the ceremonial turnover of tractors, sugarcane planters, and other farm implements concluded, granting farmers equipment within the Visayas and Mindanao region.
As part of the implementation of the Farm Mechanization Program For Small Sugarcane Landholders project, the Government of Japan committed a total of 800 million Yen to the PH Sugarcane Industry.
As of September 2024, 3,643.88 hectares of land have been serviced by the granted farm implements, assisting 1,574 sugarcane farmers across the Philippines.
Farmer Associations whose membership mostly composed of small sugarcane landholders received a total of 80 units of Kubota tractors, 48 units of sugarcane planters, and five units of flail mowers under the Non-Project Grant Aid Agreement between Japan and the Philippines in pursuit of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement.
The Bacolod turn-over event was attended by DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, the Japan First Secretary and Agriculture Attaché at the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines, Mr. Jumpei Tachikawa, Governor of Negros Occidental Mr. “Bong” Lacson, and Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez with SRA Officials.
“This [project] is a big help,” Administrator Azcona said during the Bacolod event, agreeing with Bacolod City Mayor Benitez’s statement on Farm Mechanization,” In order for us [sugarcane farmers] to be globally competitive, farmers need to mechanize.”
Within the Busco Compound in Quezon, Bukidnon, the turn-over of tractors and other implements for beneficiaries was done on February 7,2024, after their training during November.
The Bukidnon event was attended by Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona and Board Members Dave Sanson and Mitzi Mangwag, with Quezon Bukidnon Mayor Pablo Lorenzo III and Juan Miguel Zubiri, represented by Audrey Tan Zubiri.
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), through the Planning, Policy, and Special Projects Department, proposed, implemented, and evaluated the utilization of the provided grant. SRA specifically created guidelines, organized beneficiaries, and monitored implementation, continuing the progress of farm mechanization for sugarcane farmers.
From November 22 to 23, 2023, beneficiaries from Visayas received training from Toyota Tsusho Corporation which supplied the procured agricultural machinery. Beneficiaries from Luzon and Mindanao received their training on December 1, 2023, and January 16, 2024, respectively.
Farm Mechanization remains a priority for the Sugar Regulatory Administration as mandated by the Sugar Industry Development Act of 2015, directly addressing the industry challenge of a shrinking workforce.
