Low-income farmers in the province can avail of the free tractor services recently launched by the Provincial Government of South Cotabato through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist dubbed as the ” Provincial Free Tractor Services” program held earlier today at Brgy. Cinco, Banga. Provincial Agriculturist Dr.Raul Teves said the province has acquired at least three farm tractors that can give services to the farmers of the province. Two of these came from the DA-XII which costs Php3.5 million each while one was procured by the province. This initiative is in support of the Farm mechanization program of the Department of Agriculture which could provide technological change to attain food security and self-sufficiency through modern farm technologies. Those who can avail of the program are marginalized farmers from South Cotabato who own or maintain an area with less than two (2) hectares and below land area, applicable for harrowing and deep plowing activities at single passing only.
For those who want to avail themselves of free services, they can visit the OPAG Office and fill out the requisition slip a week before their scheduled date. Aside from the farm tractors, the DA-XII also provided farm inputs to the farmers. The program was attended by DA-XII Regional Executive Director Alan Mangelen, Board Member Dardanilo Dar, Board Member Henry Ladot, Municipal Agriculturists, barangay officials, and farmers.
