Capitol backs small irrigation projects

ILOILO Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, who represented Governor Arthur Defensor Sr., lauded the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) for initiating the Regional Congress for Small Water Impounding System Association (SWISA).

It was held at Punta Villa Resort in Arevalo, Iloilo City from August 16-18, 2012.

The congress organized by the BSWM of the Department of Agriculture aims to tackle issues and concerns with regard to irrigation and agricultural production.

He shared that the Provincial Government has allotted substantial budget for irrigation projects all over the province.

Banias said the governor gives priority to agriculture programs and projects reason why last year the province became the third top rice producing province in the country.

He said in 2011 the province harvested 959,239 metric tons of rice, a significant improvement of almost 300,000 metric tons over previous year’s harvest of 659,970 metric tons.

BSWM executive director Dr. Silvino Tejada, who officially opened the congress on Thursday, said the gathering is very important since it focuses mainly on ensuring food security in this part of the country.

Tejada said the farmers have a crucial role in the quest to increase food production and expand production areas.

He added there is a need to transform rain-fed farms into irrigated lands to ensure bountiful rice production.

Also in attendance at the regional SWISA congress are the municipal agriculture officers and the provincial agriculture officers of the six provinces in Western Visayas.

The three-day activity features lectures and workshops on the improvement and sustainability of small water impounding systems. (ECG/PR)