The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on Thursday announced the operationalization of the Solar Power Irrigation System (SPIS) in Banquero, Reina Mercedes town in the province of Isabela.
In a news statement, DAR said the construction of the P1 million irrigation project in partnership with the local government unit of Reina Mercedes was completed just recently.
DAR-Cagayan Valley Regional Director Samuel Solomero said the irrigation system would benefit about 39 agrarian reform beneficiary members from Reina Mercedes Riverside Farmers Association (RMRFA).
“This project will provide enough water supply for more than five-hectare vegetable farmland managed by RMRFA,” Solomero said.
According to Solomero, sufficient water is equivalent to an abundant harvest as far as the farmers in Reina Mercedes are concerned.
“It means more harvest and income for our ARBs (agrarian reform beneficiaries) would mean that they could contribute to securing food supply in the province,” Solomero said.
Solomero revealed that out of P1-million-peso total project cost, DAR shouldered P850,000, while the Reina Mercedes local government unit counterpart is P150,000.00 for the drilling and land preparation. “The project was made possible through the unwavering guidance of DAR Secretary John Castriciones in our office, and also through the tireless efforts of Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer II Eunomio Israel Jr., to help the farmer-beneficiaries increase their income and uplift their lives,” Solomero said.
Image credits: CESAR M. PERANTE
Read full article on BusinessMirror