Twenty farmers’ associations in Agusan del Sur province received composting facilities worth PHP19 million from the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday, marking a significant boost for organic agriculture in the Caraga region.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Agriculture-Caraga (Region 13) said the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) distributed the Composting Facility for Biodegradable Waste (CFBW) units at the Naliyagan Grounds in Prosperidad town as part of the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program.

DA-13 Regional Technical Director Rebecca Atega emphasized the program’s triple benefits during the turnover rites.

“These facilities will help reduce agricultural waste, promote organic farming practices, and contribute to climate change mitigation,” Atega told beneficiaries from Bayugan City and six municipalities during the turnover.

Each facility includes five essential components — rotary composter, shredding machine, compost presser, compost brewer, and sieving machine.

Farmer-leader Eden Dellosa of Barangay Magkiangkang welcomed the initiative, noting it would significantly lower production costs through organic fertilizer production.

“This government support comes at a crucial time as we transition to sustainable farming,” Dellosa said.

The BSWM will hold training sessions to ensure proper operation of the facilities, which form part of the National Organic Agriculture Program’s infrastructure development component.

Recipient groups represent organic rice and vegetable farmers from Sibagat, Esperanza, San Francisco, Bunawan, Rosario, and Trento municipalities. (PNA)