CBNC turns over brand new harvester to Bataraza farmers

The Php 2 million farm equipment was turned over by Coral Bay Nickel Corporation to Barangay Culandanum farmers association. The machinery was provided thru the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) of CBNC to assist farmers improve their agricultural activity and ease the burden of manual labor and rental cost.

“This is a big help for us. We used to spend a lot renting harvester for a fee sometimes more than we can afford. Now, we can use this equipment whenever we need them, even if we don’t have the money to pay for t right away,” said Ronald Oghayon, president of Maaliw Farmers Association of Barangay Culandanum.

The project turnover was attended by officials and representatives from the Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) of Culandanum, members of Maaliw and Kapatirang Magsasaka farmers association, who were identified as the main beneficiaries of the project, and other stakeholders.

The project was implemented to reduce the labor and time required for harvesting crops. With the use of the harvester, farmers are expected to cover wider areas more efficiently and with less manual effort. This initiative also promotes shared responsibility, as the equipment will be accessed and managed collectively by members of the farmers’ association, particularly small-scale farmers through cooperative use.

The provision of this equipment forms part of CBNC’s Development of Host and Neighboring Communities (DHNC) program under the Livelihood Sector. Through this effort, CBNC aims to equip farmers with the necessary tools to support faster land preparation and improved harvest outcomes.

This livelihood support also contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 2: Zero Hunger and Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. The initiative is seen as a step toward building a more self-reliant, empowered, and sustainable community in Barangay Culandanum.