THE Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) on Friday admitted the distribution of farm machinery to rice planters is slightly delayed due to lockdowns in several island provinces but the agency is hoping to keep its activities on-track for its 2021 targets.

'Based on our target, actually medyo nahuhuli tayo (we are a bit behind) because of lockdowns but hopefully we can catch up by the end of this month. We have distributed 10,000 assorted farm machinery in 55 rice-producing provinces. Medyo nahuli lang sa (There were some delays in) island provinces and [areas in] lockdowns,' PhilMech Director Baldwin Jallorina said in a press briefing.