Tuesday, July 10, 2007 Agri office to pursue fund allotment for Benguet irrigation
IRRIGATORS in Benguet expect their woes to be addressed with the commitment of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to fund more irrigation systems in the province.
This is part of the agency's commitment to finance more infrastructure projects to improve farmer's productivity.
Earlier, a group of irrigators in Benguet has asked the DA to continue allocating funds for irrigation facilities, saying irrigation is the lifeblood of the industry that feeds the country.
The Benguet Farmers Federation of Irrigators Association (BFFIA) urged the DA to allot more funds for the rehabilitation and establishment of communal irrigation systems to improve the agriculture sector.
In a resolution, the group said irrigation development should not be stopped so as not to jeopardize agricultural production.
"Irrigation development should not be put to an end as it is always the lifeblood of the farming industry. Good (agricultural) production is the only way to address the country's food sufficiency," the group said.
The BFFIA issued the resolution in reaction to an earlier recommendation of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) that the government should gradually reduce its subsidy to inputs, including irrigation development.
The DA, through the National Irrigation Administration, funded the rehabilitation of 30 communal irrigation systems in the province, which has restored 744 hectares of farmlands.
Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap earlier said the agency would seek an additional budget of P10 billion to fund projects needed to increase agricultural productivity and farmer's income next year.
Portions of the fund would be used to finance infrastructure projects, including the rehabilitation of irrigation facilities. (JC)
