Manila, April 24 -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on Wednesday urged cooperatives to encourage more farmers to join agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) to receive more support.

During the rites for the turnover of farm machinery in Bohol province, DAR Assistant Secretary Virgilio Mendez told the cooperatives to be diligent in increasing their membership.

"The DAR can only provide additional support services to an organization if there is a growing ARB membership that will justify the need to deliver more farm machineries and equipment," he said in a statement.

Mendez said agrarian reform beneficiaries must ensure proper usage of the distributed equipment for higher productivity.

"We also urge the beneficiarie...