DAR aims to distribute 53,841 ha of land in 2018

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) aims to distribute 53,841 hectares of land that will benefit 46,072 agrarian reform beneficiaries in 2018.

DAR Secretary Rosalina Bistoyong said the agency will work to provide sufficient support to farmers and further develop the agriculture sector of the country.

The Department’s proposed R10.27billion budget for 2018 has been approved by Senate last Monday. It includes, among others, a R1.59-billion allocation for general administration and support, as well as R693.4 million for support to operations, which include funding for policy formulation, planning, monitoring and agrarian reform information and education.

DAR’s Land Tenure Security Program has a R2.86-billion budget, Agrarian Justice Delivery Program (R935.7 million) and Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development and Sustainability Program (R1.87 billion) under its proposed 2018 budget.

Bistoyong noted that DAR has been able to distribute 4.74 million hectares to 2.8 million agrarian reform beneficiaries from 1972 to March 2017.

“This year, DAR targets to distribute a total of 48,588 hectares to 46,253 agrarian reform beneficiaries. From January to June 2017, DAR has already covered a total of 11,356 hectares,” Bistoyong said.

DAR has a balance of 602,306 hectares this year.

For 2018, DAR aims to distribute 53,841 hectares of land that will benefit 46,072 agrarian reform beneficiaries.