The solar-powered water pump from the provincial government of Lanao del Norte is being turned over to the Kapit Bisig Farmers Association in Barangay Bowi, Pantar. (Photo: ADD/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
PANTAR, Lanao del Norte (PIA) — In its continuous effort to boost the agriculture sector, the provincial government has turned over 15 units of solar-powered water pumps to various farmers’ associations in the province.
The project is a component of the Provincial Gulayan Program, which receives funding from the provincial government’s 20 percent Development Fund.
The P4.5-million project, spearheaded by the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO), aims to support local farmers by providing modern and sustainable irrigation solutions.
“Nakita natin na ang farmers ay usually manual ang irrigation, lalo na sa vegetable growers. Tiningnan natin kung paano ito i-address. Nakapag-come up na kailangan ng solar-powered water pump. Ito ay isang renewable energy para sa modern farming system,” PAO’s Provincial High-Value Crops Development Program Coordinator Janel Rose Amorin said.
(We observed that farmers usually use manual irrigation, especially vegetable growers. We looked into the issue and came up with the need for a solar-powered water pump. This is a renewable energy-based modern farming system.)
Amorin said that the feat is just the beginning, and additional equipment, vegetable seeds, and other interventions will be provided to the beneficiary associations in the future to further support their agricultural productivity.
Provincial Board Member Sidick Dibaratun praised the dedication of the farmers from the Kapit Bisig Pantar Farmers Association in Barangay Bowi, Pantar town. He said that they are excellent role models, as their perseverance in farming sets a positive example for other municipalities to follow.
“Kung unsa man gali ang kita sa mga kauban, ilaha na. Dako ni siya nga proyekto nga basin unya og mahitabo kini sa uban munisipyo, nga mabuhi sila sa ilang paningkamot, dili lang sila magsalig sa ayuda,” he said.
(Whatever the members earn, it’s theirs. This is a big project that might happen in other municipalities as well, where they can live off their hard work and not just rely on aid.)
New hope for farmers
Before receiving a solar-powered water pump, farmers from the Kapit Bisig Pantar Farmers Association in Barangay Bowi faced major challenges. For months, they struggled with dry, cracked 23-hectare land during the El Niño dry spell last year, and growing crops was impossible.
Hence, they reached out to the provincial government for help, and they became one of the beneficiaries of the solar-powered water pump project. With such support, farmers won’t have to manually fetch water for their crops, making irrigating easier.
Soraida D. Mamaconday, president of the Kapit Bisig Pantar Farmers Association with 39 members, thanked the provincial government for its support.
They cultivate crops such as corn, rice, cassava, watermelon, squash, and okra. They deliver their harvests to local markets in Pantar and even in Balo-i Marawi. Some of their harvests are also for their consumption. They also raise tilapia in their fish pond.
“Kami ay lubos na nagpapasalamat at nais naming ipahayag ang taos-pusong pasasalamat sa ating Gov. Angging Dimaporo sa patuloy na suporta sa sektor ng agrikultura. Ang turnover na ito ay hindi lamang isang paglilipat ng kagamitan, kundi isang hakbang upang mapalakas ang agricultural training at mapromote ang food security sa bawat komunidad, lalo na sa probinsya ng Lanao del Norte,” she said.
(We are deeply grateful and would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our government for its continued support for the agriculture sector. This turnover is not just a transfer of equipment but a step toward strengthening agricultural training and promoting food security in every community, especially in the province of Lanao.)
She also shared that they received other agricultural assistance, including training, and seeds, from the provincial government.
Meanwhile, Alexander Mamaconday, Vice President of the Kapit Bisig Pantar Farmers Association, also expressed gratitude for the support they received. He also encouraged fellow farmers not to rely solely on aid, as it may be temporary, and he emphasized the importance of self-sufficiency through farming.
“Ako ay lubos na taos-pusong nagpapasalamat dahil matagumpay na pagbigay sa amin ng solar-powered water pump. Binigyan din kami ng cultivator para sa gardening. Ito ang pinakamalaking tulong dahil kung bibili kami, hindi namin kayang bumili,” he said.
(I am deeply grateful for the solar-powered water pump. They also gave us a cultivator for gardening. This is the biggest help because if we were to buy it, we wouldn’t be able to afford it.)
Other beneficiaries of solar-powered water pumps include Mahayahay Communal Garden Association and RIC Mahayahay Communal Garden from Maigo; Patidon Salvador LDN Farmers Association from Salvador; Malasalug Farmers Association, Maitosalug Farmers Association Pamana SLP, Maitosalug Coco Farmers Agriculture Cooperative, and Panoloon Farmers Association from Sapad; Tagulo Farmers Fisherfolk Association and Tangueguiron Farmers Association from SND; Pualas Com-Cassava Growers Association and Kallangan Farmers Association from Tubod; Kulasihan Kolambugan Demo Farm from Kolambugan; Integrated Upland Coco Farm Learning Site from Magsaysay; and Provincial Nursery Seed Farm and Lowland Vegetable Techno Demo Farm from Kapatagan. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
