The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) will distribute farm equipment to sugar producers in a move to provide a much-needed boost to the local industry.
Recently, the SRA issued the implementing guidelines on its mechanization program for the distribution of farm machinery and implements to eligible sugar farmers.
The initiative will be financed by both corporate sources and the Sugar Industry Development Act of 2015, which allots P2 billion yearly to bolster the sugarcane industry.
Under Republic Act No. 10659, planters or farmers of sugarcane farms, including block farms and farms of agrarian reform beneficiaries, shall be encouraged and trained to use the appropriate machinery and equipment “for the efficient planting, cultivation, care and maintenance, harvesting and handling of sugarcane.”
“The provision of funds for farm mechanization and modernization. and farming operations was institutionalized under the Sugar Industry Development Act (R.A. 10659) purposely to address the shortage of labor and, at the same time, increase productivity and income of farmers,” the memo signed by acting SRA Administrator David John Thaddeus Alba said.
Identified beneficiaries include sugarcane farmers or planter’s associations, Mill District Development Councils, cooperatives and foundations that are registered with SRA as a service provider of farm machinery.
“The beneficiary should include as their members at least 50 percent small farmers cultivating 10 hectares and less of sugarcane plantation,” it added.
To participate in this program, one has to submit a letter of intent signed by the chair or head of the association or cooperative; an operations manual for the repair, maintenance and deployment of farm machines and a photocopy of registration certificate issued by the SRA as service provider of farm machinery or equipment.
Recipients will be tasked to manage, operate, maintain and repair farm machinery and implements, and maintain separate financial and accounting records of such.
“Ownership and control over the farm machinery and implements may be vested to the beneficiaries, subject to the approval of the board. Otherwise, the same shall remain with SRA,” it added.
Participating associations or cooperatives shall executive a memorandum of agreement with the agency.
Separately, the memo also calls for the creation of a project management team, which shall be responsible for coming up with monitoring and evaluation guidelines and analyzing the data collected to assess the performance of the distributed machines and guide the beneficiaries on areas for improvement.
“This memorandum circular shall take effect immediately upon submission to the UP Law Library and shall thereafter be posted on the SRA website,” the Oct. 17, 2022 directive read.
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