KALILANGAN, Bukidnon (PIA) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 10, led by Director Carlene C. Collado, turned over a brand new solar-powered irrigation system (SPIS) to Sitio Danao High-Value Crops Farmers Association (HVFAI) on April 4.
This innovative system will provide reliable irrigation for their high-value crops, boosting agricultural production.
DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota Madriaga handed over the system worth over P1 million to Kalilangan Mayor Charl O. Gamboa and Sitio Danao High-Value Crops Farmers Association (HVFAI) Chairperson Manuel Suganob.
The SPIS, with a solar array of 12 panels and pump power of 5 horsepower, can irrigate at least 10 hectares of the identified 50-hectare rainfed production area for high-value crops in Sitio Danao.
Through this configuration, the irrigation system is geared at enhancing cropping intensity and crop yield, ultimately benefiting the association’s production of high-value crops such as sweet potato, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, and white potato.
During the ceremony, Madriaga expressed optimism for the project and its impact on the local production of high-value crops.
“We are thrilled that this facility is here, an expansive area where so much potential lies for a bigger production of high-value crops. May this inspire a stronger cooperation between the DA and the local government unit (LGU) and a shared interest in providing more assistance to our farmers here,” Madriaga said.
After citing the agency’s various interventions through the HVCDP and the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP), including the provision of equipment and infrastructure (greenhouses), Madriaga urged the association to actively work with the LGU to communicate their organization’s needs to the DA through a Letter of Intent.
In his message, Sitio Danao HVFAI chairperson Suganob conveyed his thanks to the agency and described the established facility as a timely provision for their association, comprising some 182 member farmers.
“Our association is very grateful to have been chosen as one of the recipients of this new Solar-powered Pump Irrigation System (SPIS) from the DA. This provision will greatly help our association, more so now that we are experiencing the effects of El Niño,” Suganob said.
Further, he assured the organization’s responsibility to ensure that the facility remains in good condition.
Present in support of the turnover ceremony were Municipal Board of Agriculture Chairperson Loido Padsing, Municipal Agriculturist Edgar Cantones, DA-10 Provincial Operations Center – Bukidnon chief Janet Lopez, Regional Agricultural Engineering Division – Program and Project Management Section chief Engr. Romil Española, HVCDP Assistant focal person Agriculturist Ronald Allan P. Camaddo, association board members, and DA-10 staff. (GDA/DA 10/PIA 10-Bukidnon)
