• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) yesterday turned over 229 units of 4-in-1 knapsack power sprayers, in a move aimed at strengthening sugarcane farm productivity and improving pest management operations across the Visayas region.
Funded under the Sugar Industry Development Act (SIDA), the mechanization support package is valued at more than P14.5 million and forms part of the government’s continuing efforts to modernize the country’s sugar industry.
The multi-functional equipment is designed for various agricultural applications, including liquid spraying, granule spreading, and mist blowing, allowing farmers to improve efficiency in crop protection and farm maintenance activities, according to SRA Board Member and Planters’ Representative David Andrew Sanson.
One hundred ninety three units were allocated to Block Farm beneficiaries from GAA 2016 to GAA 2026 projects. Another 28 units were assigned to SRA Mill District Offices as standby equipment for emergency pull-outs, while 8 units were designated for the SRA LGAREC/Research Laboratory to support field operations and research activities.
During the turnover ceremony, SRA Deputy Administrator for Research, Development and Extension Dr. Ma. Lourdes Almodiente underscored the importance of the equipment in enhancing current pest and disease management initiatives in the sugar sector.
Almodiente noted that the knapsack sprayers could be utilized for the application of bio-microorganisms (BMO), including beneficial fungi used to combat the red-striped soft scale insect, an emerging threat to sugarcane farms.
SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona assured stakeholders of the agency’s continued support amid the ongoing Middle East crisis, which has contributed to rising fuel and fertilizer prices affecting agricultural production and sugarcane farmers.
Azcona emphasized that the agency remains committed to delivering assistance programs while prioritizing the welfare of farmers and other industry stakeholders.
On the other hand, Sanson also called for stronger cooperation and unity among sugarcane farmers in supporting government-led agricultural programs and initiatives.
Representatives from various block farms expressed gratitude to the SRA and the national government for the continued provision of agricultural interventions aimed at improving farm operations, addressing production challenges, and sustaining productivity in rural communities.
Following the ceremonial turnover, beneficiaries and SRA personnel participated in a hands-on operator’s training conducted by technicians from All Certified Equipment Trading Corp. (ACETC).
The training covered the operation of the 4-in-1 sprayers, including transitioning between liquid spraying, granule spreading, and high-pressure mist blowing functions. Participants also received guidance on precision spraying techniques, equipment maintenance and troubleshooting, and safety protocols for field applications.
SRA officials said the training was intended to ensure that the equipment would not only reach farms but also be effectively utilized to increase yields, reduce manual labor, and extend the operational lifespan of the machinery.
The turnover and training activities form part of the SRA’s broader strategy to modernize and strengthen the Philippine sugarcane industry through mechanization, strategic interventions, and responsive agricultural assistance programs under SIDA.*
