P12-M solar-powered irrigation system can help farmers increase crop yields in Cavite

by Lily Gut September 3, 2022 Image from the Department of Agrarian Reform CAVITE - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Cavite, along...

by Lily Gut
September 3, 2022

Image from the Department of Agrarian Reform

CAVITE - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Cavite, along with the inspectorate team from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), conducted a final inspection on the P12-million construction solar-powered irrigation system (SPIS) of Tres Cruses, Tanza, and Baliwag Magallanes to increase the production of high-value crops and increase farmers' livelihood and income.

According to Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II (PARPO) James Arthur T. Dubongco, Tres Cruses ARB Farmers Association Inc. in Sitio Gugo, Brgy. Tres Cruzes, Tanza, and Brgy Baliwag Farmers Association Inc. is based in Magallanes.



According to Dubongco, the project will irrigate 32 hectares of agricultural land, primarily benefiting twenty-four (24) agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB) and other nearby farmers.

“Matagumpay na natapos ng DAR Provincial Office kasama ang NIA ang final inspection sa dalawang (2) SPIS sa ilalim ng Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program-Irrigation Component (CARP-IC),” he said.



He stressed that the construction of SPIS will promote the development and use of modern, appropriate, cost-effective, and environmentally safe machinery and equipment to make farming productive and efficient.

He cited the prompt use of solar-power irrigation pumps to irrigate farms amid rising gasoline and diesel prices.



Dubongco said that such SPIS would allow increasing the number of plantings by continuing to provide timely and reliable irrigation water needs, especially in once-a-year plantings or areas that depend on rain.

SPIS is a cost-efficient and climate change adaptive technology that does not require fuel use and is not affected by power interruptions. It is easy to operate, environmentally safe, and suitable for remote watersheds and rain-fed areas with minimal maintenance.

The SPIS, implemented through the DAR's Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project (CRFPSP), is intended to assist ARB organizations (ARBOs) in remote areas in irrigating their farmland to increase production during droughts.