The Department of Agrarian Reform is set to distribute 6,519 hectares of land and P63.4 million in support services to boost SOCCSKSARGEN’s agriculture sector.
Secretary John Castriciones says the momentous event will boost the agricultural activities in the region and lift the farmers’ economic lives since giving the thousands of landless farmers a land of their own would inspire them to work harder to make it productive, thus it would eventually result in a region-wide agricultural productivity.
“They will not be alone in improving their newly-acquired properties because the DAR will provide them with the necessary support services. A holistic approach in alleviating poverty in the countryside and ensuring the country’s food security, the department extends its services to post-land distribution,” he said.
According to the DAR, the agricultural sector in SOCCSKSARGEN is expected to further improve as with the distribution of 6,519 hectares of agricultural land to 3,541 agrarian reform beneficiaries and the turnover of P63.4 million worth of support services, including two farm-to-market roads, a bridge, 11 hauling trucks, and various equipment to farmers’ organizations on April 13 and 14.
The beneficiaries are from the provinces of South Cotabato with 1,389 recipients; Sultan Kudarat, 1,313; Saranggani, 535 and Cotabato 304.