THE Provincial Government here aims to put up a service facility near the farms where farmers in nearby fields can share the use of the facility and equipment.
Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado is seeking the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for an authorization to deal with the local government units where machinery shed houses and post-harvest facilities for corn and cassava would be established.
The move is in line with Bohol agriculture’s strategic direction to modernize the sector by transformation from resource-based to a technology-based industry to translate production to more income to rural communities.
In Bohol where cassava and corn are not as mainstreamed for consumption, the increasing number of tourists has opened up opportunities for the crops that could fill in.
But with support to agriculture largely focused on rice, the establishment of a post-harvest facility for cassava and corn around a cluster of towns already producing and with strong potential for the crops bodes well for the sector that has been relegated to the staple support.
For the facility, Bohol has already bought four units of 120hp 4-wheel drive tractor, four units corn dryers, four units of 95hp 4-wheel drive tractors, four units of corn harvesters, four units of cassava dryer and other equipment essential to cassava and corn production, according to the Office of the Provincial Agriculture.
Every machinery shed will have at least a 120 HP 4WD tractor, one 95 HP 4WD tractor, a corn dryer, a cassava dryer, and other support equipment.
Identified for the establishment of these machinery sheds are Carmen for the Carmen, Sagbayan and Sierra Bullones cluster, Danao or Trinidad for the Dagohoy, Danao, San Miguel Trinidad Cluster, Ubay for the Alicia, Anda, Ubay cluster and Dimiao or Valencia.
Valencia has already a village-type corn facility set up by the Department of Agriculture in Marawis, Valencia.
For the plan, identified local government units of Danao, Trinidad, and Carmen which intend to host the machinery pool, are then tasked to secure and provide an accessible and safe area of not less than 2,000 square meters, prepare a deed of donation or usufruct of not less than 15 years, whichever is feasible for the establishment of the machinery pool.
For Ubay, with the provincial government owning a lot, the machinery shed would still be constructed but within the Bohol Organic Agriculture Technology Center complex located in Gabi, Ubay.
As to the facility operations, the Provincial Government of Bohol, through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, are tasked to manage, operate, and allocate funds for the operation as well as the establishment of the machinery shed and corn and cassava postharvest facilities. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)
