The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has awarded the Pacheco Agrarian Reform Cooperative (PAR-C) in Magallanes, Cavite, a new 50-horsepower heavy tractor equipped with complete implements to help modernize local farming and improve the livelihoods of agrarian reform beneficiaries.
Modern Equipment for Modern Farming
The new 50-horsepower heavy tractor represents a significant upgrade for the cooperative's farming operations, enabling them to cultivate a hectare of farmland in approximately one-and-a-half hours compared to the week it previously took using traditional plowing tools with carabaos or hand tractors . PAR-C chairperson Ernie Somogod expressed gratitude for the equipment, stating, "This is a big help for us farmers," as the machinery will significantly reduce manual labor and operational time .
The Pacheco Agrarian Reform Cooperative, with members primarily engaged in high-value crop farming, is among the irrigators' associations being assisted by the National Irrigation Administration Cavite-Batangas IMO, deriving water from the Pacheco Communal Irrigation System that irrigates 50 hectares and benefits 40 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries . The cooperative has a history of receiving government support, having been awarded 10 units of sewing machine by DOLE Cavite in 2017 through the Self-Reliant Organization – Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.
Sustainable Operations and Broader Support
To ensure the machinery is maintained over time, DAR-Cavite provincial agrarian reform program officer James Arthur Dubongco advised the cooperative to collect reasonable user fees for the tractor's use . The fees will support regular maintenance and create a reserve fund for eventual replacement. Dubongco emphasized that proper use and transparent fund management are essential, warning that misuse or misappropriation could lead to the rescission of the grant .
This grant is part of DAR's broader initiative to empower Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries by ensuring they have access to modern tools and support necessary to improve their long-term income and quality of life. The distribution of farm machinery is one way DAR encourages farmers to remain active in agriculture while making farm work more efficient, with the agency noting that "the more they work harder, the higher their income will be" . The cooperative has also previously benefited from a solar-powered irrigation system constructed by DAR, which has enabled year-round farming beyond the rainy season.
