IN A bid to further boost the agriculture sector of La Castellana, its top official is pushing for the implementation of solar-powered irrigation projects and farm diversification in her locality.
Mayor Rhumyla Nicor-Mangilimutan, at the sidelines of the 15th Anniversary celebration of an agrarian reform beneficiaries organization in Barangay Cabacungan on June 4, said the Municipal Government continues to tap support from National Government agencies for solar-powered irrigation.
Nicor-Mangilimutan said they recently received a small-scale irrigation project from the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
"We are supporting the move of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol on promoting solar-powered irrigation system as it benefits the farmers through reduction of production cost," she said, adding that "it is also in support to the government's efforts to address climate change."
The town's top official also pointed out they need the help of the DA and other agencies like the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), among others, as it would be difficult for the local government to provide all the needs of the farmers and residents using its internal revenue allotment alone.
Aside from irrigation, the Municipal Government already has a pending proposal for a systematized potable water project worth P200 million to the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP).
"Once implemented, we are looking forward that this water system would be one of the income generating activities of the barangays to be supported by the local government," Nicor-Mangilimutan said.
Eventually, when barangays can already implement the project on their own, they can start using the income for other development activities in the community, she added.
Diversification
Speaking before the farmer-members of the Dama Farm Workers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association, the mayor urged them to practice diversification.
"We are not only focusing on sugarcane but also on high-value crops," Nicor-Mangilimutan said.
She pointed out that when the prices of sugar are not stable, farmers can then divert to other crops in order to allay possible adverse effects of such challenge hounding the industry to their livelihood.
"Diversification to other crops like organic rice and vegetables will enable farmers to augment their livelihood if ever problems in the sugar industry arise," Nicor-Mangilimutan added. (EPN)