DAVAO CITY: The Department of Agriculture (DA) gave a total of P53.8-million worth of agri-machinery to rice farmers in the Davao Region under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund mechanization component held recently in Tagum City, Davao del Norte. DA Secretary William Dar, who led the distribution, highlighted the agency's priority programs to help rice farmers reduce the cost of production and increase their income. Included among the agri-machinery were 32 floating tillers, 23 hand tractors, 13 combine harvesters, 13 four-wheel tractors, 8 riding-type transplanters, 4 walk-behind transplanters, one reaper and one precision seeder.