Stressing the urgency to prepare for the impact of the El Niño phenomenon, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the government is looking to install thousands of solar-powered irrigation units to help farmers boost their harvests.
The President highlighted Saturday the push for solar-powered irrigation in his speech at the ceremonial palay harvesting and distribution of various assistance to farmers and cooperatives at the Mandili National High School, Brgy. Mandili, Candaba, Pampanga.
The government has allotted P17 billion for the Philippine Solar Irrigation Project, according to a statement released by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) after Marcos’ speech.
Marcos said he has discussed the initiative with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. following their recent visit to Vietnam, which has had success in using solar technology in agriculture.
Vietnam is a top exporter of rice to the Philippines.
“Ngayong taon, palalawakin din natin ang patubig para sa mga sakahan sa pamamagitan ng … Philippine Solar Irrigation Project na mga small-scale irrigation projects upang mapataas ang produksyon at kita ng ating mga magsasaka,” Marcos said.
(This year, we will increase irrigation for our farmlands through the … Philippine Solar Irrigation Project and small-scale irrigation projects to increase the production and income of farmers.)
Each unit will be capable of servicing 20 hectares of farmlands by providing the power requirements of irrigation pumps.
“Libu-libo itong aming pinaplano na ilalagay at iniisip na nga namin kung papaano sa budget, kung saan kukunin,” the President said.
(We will install thousands of these. We are discussing where we will source the budget for the project.)
Upon completion, Marcos said, the Philippine Solar Irrigation Project is targeted to add some 180,000 hectares of irrigable land and allow for third cropping.
In a press briefing last month, Laurel said solar-powered irrigation was among the measures identified to mitigate the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.
Laurel had said that the Department of Agriculture would implement the intervention, along with the creation of more water impounding areas and facilities, based on two Cabinet meetings with the President last December. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
