By Paulo Loreto Lim

The first Philippine Sugarcane Industry Mechanization Expo, organized by the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), opens today, March 12, at the SRA office in Bacolod City.

The event is scheduled to run until Friday, March 16, where various farming equipment will be presented.

Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara and Department of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol are expected to serve as guests of honor during the opening program.

Last month, Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. reiterated his call for mechanization of the agricultural industry in Negros Occidental saying farmers would spend less of their income if they acquired more technology.

After recently reporting a decline in local rice production, Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo also expressed his support for mechanization, echoing the governor’s statements regarding farm laborers leaving the industry for better working conditions and benefits offered in other industries./PLL, WDJ