Farm Machinery and Equipment Turned Over by DAR-Cagayan to Five ARBOs

TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN — In response to the growing challenges brought by climate change in the agricultural sector, the Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office (DARPO) Cagayan has distributed approximately ₱1.2 million worth of farm machinery and equipment to five Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries’ Organizations (ARBOs) across the province.

The official turnover ceremony was held on June 23, 2025 at the DARPO Cagayan Compound in Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City. The event was led by Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) II Val Cristobal, PARPO I Glenn A. Follante, and OIC-CARPO for Program Beneficiaries Development Division Christian Sales, together with other DARPO officials and personnel. Representatives and members of the recipient ARBOs also participated in the ceremony.

The five recipient ARBOs are:

• Lizardo Agrarian Reform Cooperative of Lucban, Abulug

• MSRT Culung Credit Cooperative of Culung, Tuao

• Dafunganay Agrarian Reform Cooperative of Dafunganay, Amulung

• Paddaya Farmers Agrarian Reform Cooperative of Paddaya, Aparri

• Logac Farmers Agriculture Cooperative of Logac, Lallo

A total of approximately 260 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) are expected to directly benefit from the distributed machinery and tools.

The agricultural equipment turned over includes:

• Four hand tractors with trailers

• One floating tiller

• One compact tiller rotavator

• Seven brush cutters with rice harvester attachments

• Eleven knapsack sprayers

• Thirteen pressure washers

• One rice transplanter

• Seven water pumps

In their messages, the DAR officials emphasized that the farm machinery granted to the cooperatives represents the fulfillment of a long-time dream of many ARBs. They encouraged the ARBOs to treat the equipment as their own—to care for, maintain, and maximize their use so that more members can benefit over a longer period.

This initiative forms part of the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support (CRFPS) Program of DAR, which aims to strengthen the capacity of agrarian reform communities to adapt to climate change by introducing innovative and efficient agricultural solutions.

Through this program, DAR-Cagayan hopes to reduce production costs, increase yields, and boost income among ARBs—paving the way for a more resilient and sustainable farming future in the province.

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WpMUYA97Js

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Sunrise Multipurpose Cooperative: Cultivating Community Prosperity in Gattaran, Cagayan though DAR's VLFED project

In the verdant landscapes of Gattaran, Cagayan, the Sunrise Multipurpose Cooperative (SMPC), an agrarian reform beneficiary organization (ARBO), stands as a beacon of community-driven development and agricultural innovation. Established in Cappisayan Sur, SMPC has been instrumental in transforming the lives of local farmers through sustainable practices and enterprise development.

Empowering Farmers through the VLFED Program

The Department of Agrarian Reform's (DAR) Village-Level Farm-Focused Enterprise Development (VLFED) program has been pivotal in SMPC's journey. This initiative aims to bolster rural enterprises by providing essential support in processing, marketing, and capacity building. Through VLFED, SMPC has enhanced its production capabilities, ensuring that local farmers can process and market their products effectively, thereby increasing their income and community resilience. 

The DAR-VLFED project transformed the Sunrise Multipurpose Cooperative from a small farm-based group into a fully operational, FDA-registered rural enterprise. By leveraging local produce, boosting processing capacity, and opening new markets, VLFED empowered SMPC to uplift the lives of its agrarian reform beneficiaries while stimulating inclusive rural development in Gattaran. With funding and technical support from VLFED, SMPC was able to:

• Upgrade its processing facility for Bugnay wine and fruit preserves.

• Acquire food-grade equipment such as fermenters, bottling tools, pasteurizers, and labeling machines, enabling them to comply with FDA standards.

• Improve product quality, shelf-life, and packaging appeal, leading to better consumer trust and competitiveness.

Signature Product: Bugnay Wine

One of SMPC's standout products is its Bugnay wine, crafted from the indigenous wild berries abundant in the region. This fruit wine not only offers a unique taste but also boasts health benefits, being rich in antioxidants and essential minerals. The production of Bugnay wine has provided an alternative income source for agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), showcasing the potential of value-added agricultural products. 

Community Engagement and Support

Beyond economic endeavors, SMPC has demonstrated a strong commitment to community welfare. During challenging times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the cooperative actively participated in relief efforts, distributing food packs and meals to affected families and frontliners. This spirit of bayanihan underscores SMPC's role as not just an economic entity but a cornerstone of community solidarity.

Collaborative Growth and Future Prospects

SMPC's integration into the Cagayan Cooperative Union, comprising 23 agrarian reform beneficiary organizations, exemplifies its collaborative approach to regional development. By sharing resources and best practices, these cooperatives aim to amplify their impact, fostering a more robust and interconnected agricultural sector in Cagayan. 

As SMPC continues to harness programs like VLFED and engage in community-centric initiatives, it sets a precedent for how cooperatives can drive sustainable development, blending economic growth with social responsibility.

CSU-Carig Campus and ISU-San Mateo Campus bag major awards in DAR regional PelikulAgraryo 2025.

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Valley – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Region 02 has launched PelikulAgraryo 2025, a regional short film competition aimed at showcasing the transformative journeys of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and their organizations through student-led storytelling.

With the theme “Pag-ani sa mga Pangarap: Mga Kuwento ng Pag-asa at Tagumpay sa Agraryo” (Harvest of Dreams: Stories of Hope and Success in Agrarian Reform), the initiative invites tertiary-level students enrolled in communication and media-related courses across Region 02 to produce 10–15 minute films that highlight the real-life experiences of ARBs and agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs). 

DAR Regional Director Primo C. Lara emphasized that the festival serves as a platform to bridge generational divides, making agrarian reform issues relatable and emotionally resonant, especially for the youth. 

The competition features two categories: the ARB Category, focusing on individual beneficiaries, and the ARBO Category, highlighting the achievements of organizations involved in DAR programs. Regional winners from each category will receive ₱30,000 and will advance to the national finals, where they stand a chance to win ₱60,000. Additionally, eight special awards with monetary prizes will be conferred at the regional level. 

A total of nine (9) entries were accepted from the students of state colleges and universities within Region 02 for the contest. Regional judging took place on June 11, with the awarding ceremony held on June 28. The top films will proceed to the national finals, where they will compete under the same theme. 

This initiative is part of DAR's broader effort to engage the youth in agrarian reform, encouraging them to become storytellers and advocates for rural development. Through PelikulAgraryo 2025, DAR aims to humanize land reform policies and inspire a new generation to appreciate and participate in the ongoing transformation of the agricultural sector.

Winners (Regional Level):

Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organization (ARBO) category: 

1st Place: Cagayan State University - Carig Campus

2nd Place: Cagayan State University - Carig Campus

3rd Place: Quirino State University - Diffun Campus

Agrarian Reform Beneficiary (ARB) Category: 

1st Place: Isabela State University - San Mateo Campus

2nd Place: Cagayan State University - Carig Campus

3rd Place: Cagayan State University - Carig Campus

Entries for the ARBO category

Entries for the ARB category

The short film Dalawamput Dalawang Krisantemo by Cagayan State University-Carig Campus won the regional Best Film under the ARBO category.

The short film BUNGA by Isabela State University-San Mateo Campus won the Best Film under the ARB category. 

Regional Winners under the ARBO category. 

Regional winners under the ARB category. 

“PelikulAgraryo 2025” - A Cinematic Salute to Farmers’ Untold Stories

TUGUEGARAO CITY, June 13, 2025 - Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in Cagayan Valley are stepping out of the fields and onto the screen, as DAR Region 02 unveils PelikulAgraryo 2025, a short-film competition that puts farmers at the heart of the story.

Lights, Camera, Agraryo! This year’s DAR Central and Regional Film Festival (DARCRFF) challenges tertiary-level students, especially from Cagayan State University-Carig Campus, to direct and produce short films that give voice to real experiences of land reform beneficiaries, cooperatives, and ARBO-led initiatives.

According to DAR Cagayan Valley Regional Director Primo C. Lara, the event is more than a creative showcase: it’s a platform to bridge generational divides, making agrarian reform issues relatable and emotionally resonant, especially for the youth.

Fresh Voices Illuminate Rural Realities. Past editions in Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya provinces have shown the power of story: student filmmakers crafted narratives that blended legal battles, multigenerational wisdom, and the triumph of securing land titles.

One such film depicts a beneficiary’s journey from landlessness to cultivating ownership through Project SPLIT. Others highlight challenges, like protecting ancestral land or preserving agrarian legacy. These stories have captivated both judges and audiences.

Youth + Roots = Rural Renaissance. “Students are often unaware of agrarian reform’s impact,” DAR-Cagayan’s campaign explains. By having young creatives collaborate with ARBs, the festival fosters empathy, historical awareness, and even calls students to become future champions of rural development.

In Cagayan Valley, representatives from DAR and local universities have teamed up to mentor entries and urged filmmakers to dig deep into ARB communities for authentic, powerful stories.

On the Road to National Finals. PelikulAgraryo 2025 kicked off its call for entries in February. Regional judging will took place on June 11, 2025 - the Awarding will be on June 28, 2025 and the best films will move forward to the national finals under the theme “Pag‑ani sa mga Pangarap: Mga Kwento ng Pag‑asa at Tagumpay sa Agraryo” (“Harvest of Dreams: Stories of Agrarian Hope and Success”).

Judges are looking for originality, strong storytelling, technical skill and most importantly, narratives that humanize land reform, going beyond policies and statistics.

Empowering Agrarian Reform Communities: DAR's VLFED Boosts Abulug Highway AR Cooperative

Abulug, Cagayan — Along the thriving rural roadways of northern Cagayan, the Abulug Highway Agrarian Reform Cooperative is steadily transforming into a model of grassroots enterprise through the Department of Agrarian Reform's (DAR) Village Level Farm-Focused Enterprise Development (VLFED) Project.

The VLFED initiative, a banner enterprise support program under DAR, is aimed at strengthening agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) by enhancing their agri-based enterprise capabilities through facility provision, technical assistance, and value-chain integration. In Abulug, this has become a game-changer.

The Abulug Highway Agrarian Reform Cooperative, known for its innovative pineapple vinegar production, received strategic support from DAR–Cagayan, enabling the cooperative to scale up operations, improve product packaging, and ensure food safety compliance. With better processing facilities and sustained training on financial management and marketing, members of the cooperative now stand prouder behind their product, reaching new markets while creating local employment.

The VLFED project is more than just infrastructure or training. It empowers our ARBOs to take ownership of their enterprise journey. The Abulug Highway Cooperative is proof that with the right support, local agrarian communities can compete and thrive.

The project has also opened doors for potential partnerships with local government units, microfinance institutions, and distributors, bridging the gap between farm-level production and market access.

For the members of the cooperative, many of whom are agrarian reform beneficiaries, the VLFED support is not just an investment in enterprise—it is an investment in dignity, self-reliance, and a better future for their families.

Bantay Farmers ARB Cooperative: Driving Food Security and Economic Growth under DAR’s PAHP

Solana, Cagayan — The Bantay Farmers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARB) Cooperative in Solana, Cagayan, has emerged as a vital force in the fight against hunger and poverty through its active participation in the Department of Agrarian Reform’s PartnershipAgainst Hunger and Poverty (PAHP) program.

In January 2024, the cooperative received a multicab utility vehicle valued at ₱299,500 from the Department of Agrarian Reform provincial Office of Cagayan (DARPO-Cagayan). This provision, under the PAHP and Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support (CRFPS) program, aims to bolster the cooperative's logistical capabilities, facilitating the efficient transport of agricultural products and enhancing market access for its members.

The PAHP initiative, a collaborative effort among various government agencies including the DAR and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), seeks to address food insecurity and poverty by integrating community-based organizations like the Bantay Farmers ARB Cooperative into institutional food supply chains. Through this program, cooperatives are linked to government feeding programs and other institutional buyers, ensuring a stable market for their produce and contributing to the nutritional needs of vulnerable populations.

Since its inception, the PAHP program has significantly impacted agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) nationwide. As of April 2024, these organizations have collectively earned over ₱2.3 billion by supplying agricultural products to institutional markets. This success underscores the program's effectiveness in enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

In Solana, the local government's support for agricultural development is evident through initiatives like the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) Distribution Caravan and the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program. These programs provide financial aid and direct market access to farmers, complementing the efforts of cooperatives like Bantay Farmers ARB Cooperative in strengthening the local agricultural economy.

The Bantay Farmers ARB Cooperative's active engagement in these programs exemplifies the potential of grassroots organizations to contribute meaningfully to national goals of food security and poverty alleviation. Through continued collaboration with government agencies and sustained community involvement, the cooperative is poised to further its impact on the well-being of its members and the broader community.

 

DARPO-Cagayan launches two eFBS sites

The Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office of Cagayan-Batanes has launched another two (2) new sites for the enhanced Farm Business School (eFBS) program to equip agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Amulung, Cagayan and Gattaran, Cagayan with entrepreneurial skills and knowledge in farm management, marketing, costing, and basic accounting, aiming to boost their income and contribute to agricultural sustainability. 

The Department of Agrarian Reform’s (DAR) enhanced Farm Business School (eFBS) has made a significant impact on agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and rural farming communities by transforming traditional subsistence farming into sustainable agribusiness ventures. Here are some key ways the FBS has contributed to the development of the agricultural sector:

1. Economic Empowerment of Farmers

The FBS program teaches ARBs how to manage their farms as businesses, enabling them to maximize profits and reduce losses. By applying financial management and marketing strategies, many farmers have transitioned from being mere producers to agripreneurs who actively engage in the agricultural value chain.

• Higher Income Generation: Graduates of the program have reported increased earnings due to improved farm productivity and better pricing strategies.

• Job Creation: With better farm management, some ARBs have expanded their operations, creating employment opportunities within their communities.

2. Improved Agricultural Practices

Through FBS training, farmers gain technical knowledge in modern farming techniques, proper record-keeping, and sustainable agricultural practices. These innovations lead to higher yields, better-quality crops, and more efficient farm management. 

3. Strengthening Farmers' Organizations

The FBS encourages farmers to collaborate and form cooperatives, which gives them better leverage in the market. Collective farming, bulk purchasing, and group marketing strategies have made it easier for smallholder farmers to negotiate with buyers, suppliers, and financial institutions.

4. Enhanced Market Access

Before undergoing FBS training, many ARBs struggled to find stable markets for their produce. The program equips them with market analysis skills, negotiation techniques, and product branding knowledge, allowing them to sell directly to consumers, supermarkets, and institutional buyers.

• Linkages with Agribusiness Enterprises: Some farmer groups have successfully secured contracts with local businesses, ensuring a steady demand for their crops.

5. Sustainability and Food Security

By teaching financial literacy, risk management, and diversification strategies, FBS helps farmers prepare for market fluctuations and climate-related risks. This resilience ensures consistent food production, contributing to both local and national food security.

Difference between the FBS and the eFBS: 

The Farm Business School (FBS) and the Enhanced Farm Business School (EFBS) programs of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) both aim to improve the entrepreneurial skills of farmers. However, there are key differences between the two:

1. Farm Business School (FBS)

• Traditional Approach: The FBS is a training program designed to help farmers develop business skills to manage their farms as enterprises.

• Focus: It emphasizes basic farm business management, such as planning, production, marketing, and financial literacy.

• Implementation: Conducted in agrarian reform communities (ARCs), teaching farmers how to increase farm productivity and income through structured training sessions.

• Target Audience: Smallholder farmers, agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), and rural communities.

2. Enhanced Farm Business School (EFBS)

• Expanded & Upgraded Version: The EFBS builds on the foundation of FBS but includes enhanced learning modules and digital tools for better farm business management.

• Focus: Aside from basic business skills, it includes advanced topics such as value-adding, digital marketing, climate-smart agriculture, and agripreneurship.

• Implementation: Uses interactive methods like experiential learning, market linkages, and more comprehensive mentorship programs.

• Integration with Technology: EFBS integrates modern farming technologies, e-commerce, and agribusiness innovations to help farmers adapt to changing agricultural trends.

Key Differences at a Glance

Feature	Farm Business School (FBS)	Enhanced Farm Business School (EFBS)
Scope	Basic farm business management	Advanced farm business & agripreneurship
Focus	Traditional farm-to-market approach	Digital marketing, value-adding, & modern techniques
Training Method	Standard classroom-based learning	Interactive, hands-on, and technology-driven
Technology Use	Minimal	Incorporates e-commerce, ICT, & digital tools
Market Linkages	Basic	Expanded to broader markets (e.g., online selling)

Which is Better?

• If a farmer needs foundational knowledge in business planning and farm management, FBS is a good starting point.

• If a farmer wants to scale up their agribusiness, use digital tools, and explore wider markets, the EFBS is more beneficial.

The DAR’s enhanced Farm Business School has become a game-changer for Filipino farmers by shifting their mindset from traditional farming to agribusiness entrepreneurship. With its continued implementation, the program holds the potential to further uplift rural communities, reduce poverty, and enhance the agricultural sector’s overall competitiveness.                  Photos: Rosemarie Cardona