A solar-powered irrigation system (SPIS) worth over P10 million has been turned over by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to farmers in Barangay Talisay in San Andres, Quezon.
The DAR through Assistant Secretary and concurrent Calabarzon Regional Director Rene Colocar said the project, made possible with the collaboration of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), will benefit mainly members of the Irrigators Association of Barangay Talisay, San Andres town.
In a statement, Colocar said the irrigation system will address the water problem of 81 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and non-ARBs living in Pansoy, Mangero, Talisay Agrarian Reform Community (PAMATA ARC).
According to Colocar, PAMATA ARC has a total of 1,638 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB) covering a total of 3,075 hectares of agricultural land.
The project, he said, covers so far a total of 41.38 hectares only, directly benefiting 81 ARBs. “This means there’s still an opportunity to enhance and widen the coverage of the project,” Colocar said.
The solar-powered irrigation system is expected to increase rice and corn production in the area since it is now possible for farmers to plant three times in a year, unlike before without SPIS that farmers can only have two harvests.
“Through this irrigation system, the farmers will no longer depend on the frequency of rain to do farming,” Colocar added.
Alden Terana, President of the Irrigators Association of Brgy. Talisay, said the project will be a big boost to their rice and corn production.
He said it will also benefit the future generation of farmers who will have dependable water all-year round.
NIA Engr. Romeo M. Lopez, who led the turnover together with Colocar, said the irrigation system has 36 units of 220 solar panels and 3 units of 2 horsepower solar pumps which can discharge around 50 cubic meters per hour.
“The stored water will flow through a canal that stretches about 1.1km of the main canal and 0.47 km of the lateral canal. Using renewable energy, this SPIS will deliver year-round water supply for paddy fields during the dry and wet seasons,” Lopez explained.
The project was implemented under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Irrigation-Component of DAR, which focuses on the development of agricultural productivity and the improvement of the living condition of the farmers.