LEGAZPI CITY, Albay (PIA) – Around 400 farmers in this province will benefit from 10 completed Solar Pump Irrigation Projects (SPIPs) constructed by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).
Mark Cloyd So, manager of the Albay-Catanduanes Irrigation Management Office, said that the SPIP aims to modernize irrigation systems across the country.
“NIA’s SPIP is a modern initiative designed to enhance irrigation in farms nationwide,” he explained.
The SPIP sites are located in areas far from rivers or lacking water sources, where farmers primarily depend on rainfall.
By utilizing solar power through solar panels, the pump system will ensure a sufficient water supply for crops, particularly in areas with limited access to electricity or those affected by droughts.
So said this initiative will irrigate over 400 hectares of farmland in the towns of Camalig, Daraga, Libon, and the cities of Legazpi and Ligao.
So added that one of the goals of the NIA is to increase farmers’ yields and help reduce the price of rice in the province.
“When yields increase and the quality improves, it is likely that rice prices will decrease due to greater supply,” he explained.
A beneficiary of the project is Antonio Lotivio, a 58-year-old farmer from Anislag, Daraga, Albay, who serves as the president of the Anislag Upland Farmers Association.
Previously, he relied solely on rainwater for irrigation.
“Before the solar project, we could only depend on rainwater. We were only able to plant during the rainy season. Without rain, we couldn’t do anything,” Lotivio shared.
Lotivio expressed his gratitude to President Bongbong Marcos for the project, which he believes will lead to greater harvests for farmers.
“To our President Bongbong Marcos, thank you very much for bringing this project to our barrio in Anislag. Without this, our yield this year would have been poor. But now that we have this irrigation, we are certain that we’ll have plenty to harvest,” Lotivio added.
The Solar Pump Irrigation Project costs P400 million. It is set to be formally turned over to 10 local Irrigators’ Associations in the province, which will take charge of its operations and maintenance. (Raiza Lucido contributed to this report/PIA Albay)
