The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has distributed ₱27 million worth of farm machinery to several sugarcane groups to improve productivity and support the local sugar industry.
In a statement Thursday, the SRA said the equipment— including dump trucks, hauling trucks, and tractors—will help farmers prepare fields, transport materials, and apply soil improvements more efficiently.
SRA administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said farm mechanization is now essential to keep the industry competitive and reduce costs. The initiative is part of a broader soil rejuvenation program aimed at restoring soil health and lowering reliance on chemical fertilizers.
The equipment was turned over at the La Granja Agricultural Research and Extension Center in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental. Beneficiaries include sugarcane organizations in Iloilo, Capiz, Negros Oriental, Cagayan, and Bukidnon.
Officials said the machinery will help farmers use organic materials, such as sugar mill waste, to improve soil fertility and increase crop yields.
The SRA added that more equipment grants are planned as part of efforts to modernize the industry and make farming more sustainable and profitable.
Meanwhile, data from the Department of Agriculture showed that as of April 15, retail sugar prices in Metro Manila remained high, with refined sugar at ₱82.32 per kilo, washed sugar at ₱75.04, and brown sugar at ₱73.30.
