DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)  will turn-over a solar-powered irrigation pump to a farmers’ association in Laoac town in June.

NIA regional manager Engr. Gaudencio De Vera said the project, which can irrigate 15.5 hectares of farm land, is seen to benefit 21 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and five non-ARBs who are tilling the surrounding area.

“Malaki ang maitutulong ng solar-powered irrigation pump dahil cost-efficient ito, hindi tulad ng diesel engine pumps na malaki ang gastos ng farmers natin,” De Vera said.

De Vera noted that solar-powered irrigation pumps play a vital role to counter the possible effects of El Niño this year as it will help augment the water supply for irrigation.

The project, which was constructed in May 2022, is part of the irrigation component of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program implemented hand in hand by the DAR and NIA.

It has a total funding of P3.985 million.

The project, located in Brgy. Calmay-Lebueg in Laoac town, will be turned-over by DAR and NIA to Calmay-Lebueg Farmers Irrigators Association, Inc.

In Pangasinan,  three more solar-powered irrigation pump projects are nearing completion and will soon benefit farmers in Brgy. Waig in Malasiqui, Brgy. Gonzales in Umingan, and Brgy. Malimpin in Dasol. (JCR/MJTAB/EMSA/PIA Pangasinan)