Pinugay farmers receive solar-powered irrigation

by Lily Gut September 19, 2021 BALIKSAKA Farmers Association Inc. President Rhodora Rey (right) signs turnover papers for the P 20 million s...

by Lily Gut
September 19, 2021

BALIKSAKA Farmers Association Inc. President Rhodora Rey (right) signs turnover papers for the P 20 million solar-powered irrigation facility from National Irrigation Administration officials in Pinugay, Baras. (GG/PIA-Rizal)

BARAS, Rizal — Farmers in the BALIKSAKA Farmers Association Inc. (BFAI) now have access to solar-powered irrigation provided by the Department of Agrarian Reform and the National Irrigation Administration.

The ceremonial key to the P 20 million project was handed over to BFAI President Rhodora Rey by DAR Secretary John Castriciones and NIA Administrator Ricardo Visaya on September 17.



The project seeks to irrigate 72 hectares of land, assisting 63 BALIKSAKA agrarian reform recipients in cultivating their high-value crops and vegetables all year round.

Barangay Pinugay, according to Baras Mayor Kathrine Robles, is a rain-fed area.



Because there are few to no irrigation sources in the dry season, Mayor Robles noted that rice can only be planted in the area prior to the irrigation project during the rainy season.

“Due to this (project) there will be an opportunity for local farmers to be motivated further to farm crops,” said Mayor Robles.



Secretary Castriciones acknowledged farmers as modern-day heroes who produce food for the country and need more government help in his keynote address.

“Among them is BALIKSAKA who also gives food to our citizens,” he said.

“Let us strive to do better since we know Secretary Castriciones and Administrator Visaya are there to support us in future projects,” she said.

The project's first package, consisting of four solar-powered pumps, pump house building, and pipe installation, was purchased and installed on April 28, 2020, and completed on November 15, 2020.

The project’s second package consisting of a 1.3km concrete canal lining and water tank construction was initiated on March 17, 2020 and completed February 5, 2021.