SMALL SOLAR IRRIGATION SAVES FARMERS MONEY

Here are the field photos of the Israeli-designed and built Small Solar-Powered Irrigation System in Lumban, Laguna.

This unit, along with a bigger set-up which is equipped with a “Fertigation” tank, was donated by Israel’s LR Group to the town of Lumban, Laguna when I was Secretary of Agriculture.

This set-up could serve 5 to 10 hectares and farmers could save P15,000 per hectare per cropping which they spend for the diesel fuel.

Hangga’t may araw na sumisikat, may tubig na aagos para sa sakahan.

(For as long as the sun shines, there will be water flowing to the farms.)

In answer to the question: Paano kung umuulan at walang araw?

Of course, if it rains, you don’t need irrigation water.

With the savings on fuel and the expected increase in productivity because of the consistency of water supply, rice farmers of Mindanao could be cushioned from the adverse effects of the RTL.

This is going to be a game changer for Philippine Agriculture.

(These photos were taken by my daughter, Dr. Josa Bernadette Piñol, who joined me in the trip to Lumban, Laguna yesterday. With me in the photos are Lumban Mayor Rolando Obatay and several DA Regional officials.)