Rice and sugarcane farmers in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental who have relied on rains all their lives for palay and sugarcane production are now enjoying the blessings of the magic of modern agriculture technology through the Solar-Powered Irrigation System.
The Solar-Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) in Barangay Bato, Hinigaran town is the first of its kind in Negros Occidental, according to Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino.
Funded by the Department of Agriculture and one of the almost 200 units being established all over the country as part of the Department’s modernisation program, the Bato SPIS could irrigate 60 hectares of rice farms and 40 hectares of sugarcane fields.
Costing P5.99-M, the SPIS will benefit 60 farming families who for years have lived in abject poverty because of the absence of irrigation water.
“Previously farmers either relied on rain or used diesel engine driven pumps. We also tried before using electric driven pumps pero grabe ang cost, ga-pangindi ang farmers,” Masculino said.
(The cost was very high and farmers were reluctant to use the electric driven pumps.)
“With this solar power, the farmers will save a lot of money and it will increase their productivity,” Masculino said.
The DA is currently working on a P44-B loan from the Israeli Government to establish 6,200 units of computerised Solar Powered Irrigation System which could provide water for 500,000 hectares.
(Video and photo provided by the Provincial Agriculture Office of Negros Occidental through Atty. Japhet Masculino.)
https://www.facebook.com/100004041456946/videos/pcb.1649493491862017/1649479898530043
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