Rebe, Lala, Lanao del Norte – Even with a light drizzle and dark clouds, Lanao del Norte rice farmers witnessed the magic of modern technology as the first Solar-Powered Irrigation System in the province was blessed and launched yesterday.
Lanao del Norte Gov. Imelda Q. Dimaporo, who joined me in the launching with Lala Mayor Alan Lim, appeared amazed that with very faint sunlight, the 80-solar panels were able to produce enough power to run a 25HP water pump which drew water from a nearby creek and bring this to a concrete reservoir.
From the reservoir, high density plastic pipes brought the water to some 50-hectares of rice fields nearby.
The Rebe SPIS costing only P5.9-M will allow the farmers to plant twice a year instead of only once and increase their yield from only 4 metric tons per hectare per harvest to 6 metric tons.
This would mean an a increased production of 12 metric tons per year, instead of just 4 mt.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) Region X under Director Carlene Collado also committed to provide the Rebe Farmers Cooperative a Combine Rice Harvester and a 35HP tractor with rotavator.
The DA Agricultural Credit Policy Council ( ACPC) will also provide a working capital of P5-M so that the farmers will sell milled rice instead of newly-harvested paddy rice to increase their income.
The SPIS is one of the banner programs of the DA, along with the Easy Access Credit Program which provides financing to farmers and fisherfolk.
The Israeli Government has offered a P44-B long term loan to establish 6,200 units of SPIS all over the country to cover 500,000 hectares.
(Photos by Alan Jay Jacalan and Lito Degorio, DA AFID.)
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