THE Provincial Government of Negros Occidental has turned over over P20 million worth of irrigation project, farm machinery and equipment to farmer associations at Barangay Minapasuk in Calatrava on Friday, August 5.

The Spur 2 Magtuod Irrigation Project costs P19.9 million while the rice mill shed, multi-purpose drying pavement, walk-behind rice transplanter, mechanical reaper, and floating tiller costs P1.7 million.

The project beneficiaries are the Spur 2 Irrigators Association of Minapasuk, and Pakigdaet sa Kalambo-an of Bug-ang in the nearby Toboso town.

The project was implemented through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).

The Himoga-an River is the water source for the irrigation project with a potential service area of 200 hectares.

First District Board Member Araceli Somosa said that programs on food security and agricultural productivity are among the priorities of the provincial government, especially that it is for the benefit of the farmers.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson advised the members of the association to manage and use the project efficiently and have a good water management system.

He also pledged for more development projects in the town that will benefit more communities.

Also present during the turnover ceremony were 303rd Brigade Commander General Inocencio Pasaporte, Toboso former mayor and now councilor Richard Jaojoco, representatives from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), OPA staff, and other local officials. (PR)