By Manny Piñol
The Solar-Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) which has been adopted by the Department of Agriculture as one of its Flagship Projects could ensure the country of sufficient rice supply for the next 20 years.
In fact, the extensive use of the SPIS could result in surplus production of rice which could make the country a net exporter in 5 years.
With over 2-million hectares of rice farms in the country unserved by irrigation facilities, the SPIS which could be installed in a period of 60 days could help farmers plant twice a year instead of just once.
This means that if farmers in these areas could harvest twice a year at an average of 6-metric tons per hectare instead of just 4-metric tons now, the country could produce an additional 16-million metric tons of palay.
This would mean an additional milled rice production of at least 9-million metric tons per year which is 8-million more the country’s annual rice requirements.
Of course, these are all assumptions on possible increase in rice production.
The key consideration here is the willingness of our government to invest in the SPIS which actually costs less per hectare compared to the conventional irrigation system.
My estimate is that the government must allocate at least P60-B every year for five years to achieve this.
The DA has shown that the SPIS works effectively and could be completed in just 60 days compared to the 10 to 20 years needed to build big irrigation dams.
The DA has shown the long-dreamed rice sufficiency is achievable and it has the road map.
The only thing that is needed now to realize it is the budget.
(Video taken by Mayette Tudlas)
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