Mindanao can do it! FOOD SUFFICIENCY THROUGH SOLAR IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

Today, as I embarked on another long journey to search for solutions to Mindanao’s development challenges, I passed by the side of the scenic Lake Mainit in the boundaries of Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte.

I asked a young Agricultural Engineer who joined me in this trip, to take a look at the unutilized area just beside the lake.

Engr. Renaldo Borda, who helped establish Solar-Powered Irrigation Systems when I was DA Secretary, said that the water level could be as shallow as five feet.

All that is needed to irrigate 5 to 10 hectares of unused areas in the periphery of the Lake would be a 3 to 5-HP submersible pump powered by Solar Energy.

That equipment costing as low as P500,000 could turn the idle fertile lakeside area into a rice farm harvesting twice a year.

However, in the absence of interventions from government or any financing and technical support, the area will just grow grass.

There are hundreds of thousands of hectares in the periphery of Lake Mainit, Agusan Marsh, Liguasan Marsh, Libungan-Torreta Marsh, Lake Dapao, Lake Lanao and other areas where water is abundant.

But since most of our planners are content with crafting our development plans in the comforts of their airconditioned offices, they will never discover these potential production areas.

In fact, I am aghast that until today, government seems reluctant to invest in irrigation with only one-half of our total rice farms served by traditional irrigation systems.

The rest just relies on Divine Interventions coming in the form of rains.

I have been ridiculed and mocked in the past for saying that the Philippines could be rice sufficient because we have the area.

All that these areas need is water.

Farmers also need good seeds, fertilizers and, of course, a good price so that they would be inspired to produce more.

Once more, I issue this challenge to the non-believers: Get out of your offices, come with me and see reality.

We could produce enough food for this country and our people if only you open your eyes and walk an extra kilometer.

#KungGustoMaramingParaan!

#LetsWalkAnExtraKilometer!